Diddy recruits Kap for NFL bid

Sean Combs is serious about trying to buy the Carolina Panthers, and he’s talked to Colin Kaepernick about helping him out.

Combs, a hip-hop mogul also known at various points as Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Diddy and most recently Brother Love, announced his intentions to pursue the Panthers on Twitter and Instagram shortly after the news that Jerry Richardson is selling his stake in the team became public. During the Instagram video, Combs said he wants to sign Kaepernick.

The ex-49ers quarterback had a different job in mind. Kaepernick wants to be part of Combs’ investment group, and apparently the feeling is mutual. Yahoo Sports reported that Combs and Kaepernick spoke on the matter, and the controversial quarterback is already trying to help line up other investors to join their team.

There are no majority owners in the NFL who are not white, and the Combs/ Kaepernick team would like to change that. Richardson, who announced he is selling his family’s stake shortly after an array of sexual harassment accusations arose against him, owns 48 percent of the Panthers. Given the current ownership structure, buying his 48 percent would make someone (or a group of someones) the controlling member of the group.

Yahoo Sports projected the cost of Richardson’s 48 percent at $1.2 billion, which is more than Combs is worth, according to Forbes.

Kaepernick isn’t the only Bay Area athlete who wants in on the group. Two-time NBA MVP Steph Curry also said he wants to be part of it. Curry spent much of his childhood in the Charlotte area and is one of the franchise’s most famous fans. Both Curry and Kaepernick could help give a potential Combs ownership group access to other investors from the Silicon Valley area.