The Carolina Hurricanes have added five more local investors to their ownership group, including Hall of Famer and former ‘Cane Ron Francis.
“It is very encouraging that these locally-based investors feel so strongly about our franchise and its future,” said the club’s owner, Peter Karmanos, in a release.
In November, the Hurricanes added 10 investors that were expected to help pay down the team’s debt.
It’s not clear what this latest capital infusion will be put towards, but it’s worth noting that Carolina has committed itself to a couple of big contracts this summer.
---- Jeff Skinner: 6 years, $34.35 million
---- Jordan Staal: 10 years, $60 million
The Hurricanes also signed forward Alex Semin to a one-year, $7 million deal.
According to CapGeek, their salary payroll for 2012-13 is at $57,335,000, the 19th highest in the NHL.