Sports

AP Source: Panthers-Newton 5-Year Deal Worth $103.8 Million

Published

11 years ago

June 3, 2015

Carolina Panthers quarterback Can Newton speaks to the media during a news conference Tuesday, June 2, 2015, in Charlotte, N.C. Newton has agreed to franchise record $103.8 million, five-year contract extension with the Panthers. Newton will earn $67.6 million over the first three years, the most money ever paid to an NFL player during the first three years of a contract, said a person familiar with negotiations. (Robert Lahser/The Charlotte Observer via AP)

STEVE REED, AP Sports Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Carolina general manager Dave Gettleman believes Cam Newton can lead the Panthers to “the Promised Land” so he made the fifth-year quarterback the highest-paid player in franchise history.

He’ll get no argument from Newton.

“I feel like I can get us there as well,” Newton said of leading the Panthers to their first Super Bowl title. “They’re not saying anything I don’t think myself.”

Nearly two years after raising questions about his belief in Newton when he paused seven seconds before answering a question about whether he was a franchise quarterback, Gettleman made a huge commitment to the former No. 1 overall draft pick.

Newton signed a franchise record $103.8 million, five-year contract extension on Tuesday, capping 11 days of negotiations.

He will earn $67.6 million over the first three years, the most money ever paid to an NFL player during the first three years of a contract, said a person familiar with negotiations. The person spoke to The Associated Press Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the financial terms of the extension have not been released.

Newton’s contract is the largest ever doled out by Panthers owner Jerry Richardson since the team started in 1995 and will keep the 26-year-old quarterback under contract through the 2020 season.

“I told you guys when I first walked in the door — after my seven-second pregnant pause — that he was a franchise quarterback, and nothing has changed,” Gettleman said.

Newton, wearing a Panthers-blue suit with a matching tie and lapel flower, was all smiles on Wednesday. He planned to celebrate his new contract by cracking open a carton of milk, mixing in some Lucky Charms and Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal and “getting ready for practice” on Wednesday.

“Nothing about this contract changes my approach to the game,” Newton said.

Several of Newton’s teammates took to Twitter on Tuesday night to congratulate him, including tight end Greg Olsen, who wrote: “Very much deserved buddy. Look forward to even bigger things this year!”

Newton said the news hasn’t settled in and that he never thought he’d sign a contract in excess of $100 million.

“There were so many times I questioned is this really what I wanted to do, and am I good enough to have everything that I dreamed for?” Newton said. “I can honestly say with hard work and dedication and an unbelievable supporting cast, you can get there.”

Newton has been to two Pro Bowls and led Carolina to back-to-back NFC South championships since the Panthers made him the top pick in the 2011 NFL draft.

Newton started immediately as a rookie, taking over a team that went 2-14 in 2010.

It took four seasons, but Newton finally got his first playoff win last year when the Panthers beat Arizona 27-16 in the NFC wild card playoffs. He is 30-31-1 as a starter with a 1-2 mark in the postseason.

Since 2011, Newton has a quarterback rating of 85.4, which ranks 19th in the NFL, according to STATS. Newton’s 82 touchdown passes are 14th most in the NFL and he leads all QBs with 33 TDs rushing.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera said he’s thrilled to have Newton on board long term and to have the deal out of the way. Newton was set to become a free agent after this season.

“I think we are setting ourselves up to be in a good position where we can limit the distractions when we get to training camp,” Rivera said.

The Panthers now need to do a better job of protecting their biggest asset. Newton has been sacked 152 times in the past four seasons, tied with Alex Smith for most in the league.

Newton suffered through an injury-plagued 2014 season.

— He missed most of the offseason workouts and minicamps following ankle surgery.

— After returning Newton fractured two ribs during a preseason game and missed the regular season opener against Tampa Bay.

— And when the Panthers were in the midst of a late playoff push, Newton flipped his truck in an automobile accident near the team’s stadium resulting in two fractured bones in his lower back.

The Panthers finished 7-8-1 last season but still won the NFC South. Gettleman felt Newton’s effort last season spoke volumes about him as a player.

“If you think of all of the things he went through, and the team went through, it just cemented the way I felt about him,” Gettleman said. “He’s gifted and he’s a worker and (the game) is important to him. That’s why we did this deal. We believe he will take us to the Promised Land.”

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

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Sale of Coliseum to African American Developers Moves Toward Completion

The deal includes the sale of the Oakland Arena to an unidentified third-party buyer for no less than $100 million, which Bobbitt said was one of the most important aspects of the site’s future redevelopment.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 16, 2026

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The deal includes the sale of the Oakland Arena to an unidentified third-party buyer for no less than $100 million, which Bobbitt said was one of the most important aspects of the site’s future redevelopment.

‘This is on the precipice of actually occurring,’ said Ray Bobbitt, buyers’ representative

By Post Staff

After many months of complex negotiations, the Oakland Coliseum development deal is finally nearing an agreement that will open the way for new owners – the African Americans Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG) – to revitalize the sports complex and the Hegenberger Corridor in East Oakland.

On May 28, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a non-binding agreement to dispose of the County’s portion of the complex for $115 million in a deal with AASEG, with a closing date set for June 30.

“People are seeing that this is on the precipice of actually occurring,” said Ray Bobbitt, founder of the AASEG and an East Oakland native. “People feel that this needs to happen for Oakland, for East Oakland in particular,” Bobbitt said, as reported in the East Bay Times.

The agreement would transfer ownership of the 112-acre Coliseum complex property, which was owned 50-50 by Alameda County and the City of Oakland, to Oakland Acquisition Company, which is AASEG’s real estate wing.

The County’s approval marks an important step in the sale of the property, even though concerns about environmental liability remain. Under the terms of the non-binding agreement, the county will pay $115 million to Coliseum Way Partners, the corporate entity of the Oakland Athletics that had previously purchased the county’s half of the property for $85 million.

AASEG will then pay $115 million to the County in three annual payments, with 5% annual interest paid on any outstanding balance, according to the term sheet.

AASEG already negotiated a purchase of the city’s half of the property for $125 million in 2025, awaiting the sale of the county’s half.

A strong supporter of the sale, Supervisor Nate Miley said he was not “breaking out the champagne” until the sale was final. This is not perfect, but it is good.

“It’s good because the County ends up with more money,” Miley continued. “It’s good because an African American team takes ownership of the property, and they’ve got a lot of potential in terms of what they want to do with the property.”

A remaining disagreement between Alameda County and the AASEG involves environmental concerns.

AASEG wanted a “carve-out” for environmental concerns so that it would not face liability for the release of groundwater into San Francisco Bay without a permit. Obtaining a permit could be time-consuming and expensive, requiring the need for consultants, studies, and an oversight process by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board.

County supervisors unanimously supported the non-binding agreement without the carve-out, though Bobbitt said delaying or excluding the carve-out creates timing risks for the project.

“The motion is to accept the terms as presented, excluding the carve-out,” Board of Supervisors President David Haubert said. “Noting that it’s a non-binding term sheet and terms can always be discussed going forward. It’s been pointed out that that could affect the deal, timing, which we’ve been at this for nine years, but what’s a little more time?”

“The arena represents an anchor of the site,” said Babbitt. “This arena … has become a pop culture mecca, and the opportunity to enhance that and expand that is critical to the overall process.”

Speaking at the Board of Supervisors meeting, Miley explained the County’s reasoning behind some of the complex negotiations. He asked interim County Counsel Andrea Weddle:

“In layman’s term’s who’s on the hook for the environmental (cleanup)” under the current deal with the Oakland A’s?

“When the county with a former board entered in the deal with the (A’s), we took on all of the environmental obligations,” Miley said. “Since then, we’ve learned a lot more about the environmental conditions of the Coliseum.”

“If we do a deal with Coliseum Way Partners (the A’s), we remain on the hook,” she said. “If we do a deal as we’ve currently structured with OAC (AASEG), we have eliminated some or hopefully all (or) as much as we can of that liability and aligned our deal with the terms of the city.”

Bobbitt, despite his concerns, supported the nonbinding agreement. He said the public has waited nearly a decade to come to this point.

“The community support has been overwhelming,” he said. “We’ve used a lot of P-words: patience, perseverance, persistence. And we’ve just had to do it, and we understand how complex this has been.”

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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

7 months ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

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WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

1 year ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.