Diddy claims he wants to buy Panthers NFL franchise

Hip Hop mogul Diddy wants to buy the Carolina Panthers – and NBA star Steph Curry is also keen to get involved.

Current owner Jerry Richardson announced on Sunday that he will sell the NFL franchise at the end of the season amid allegations made against him of workplace misconduct.

In a video posted on his Instagram account, Diddy, whose real name is Sean Coombs, suggested his first move would be to bring in free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Kaepernick, formerly of the San Francisco 49ers, began sitting or kneeling for the national anthem ahead of games last season, in protest at perceived racial injustice, and the movement spread throughout the league and beyond.

Diddy, 48, also posted a series of tweets confirming his interest in becoming the first majority African American NFL owner.

“I would like to buy the @ Panthers. Spread the word. Retweet!” he posted, followed by: “There are no majority African American NFL owners. Let’s make history.”

Two-time NBA MVP Curry, who is from North Carolina and a huge Panthers fan, responded: “I want in!”

The Panthers are valued at $2.3billion by Forbes, and with Diddy said to be worth $820million, the hip-hop star would certainly need some help.

The team announced on Twitter that Richardson is selling the team, linking to a five-paragraph letter by the franchise’s only owner.

“I believe it is time to turn the franchise over to new ownership,” Richardson wrote, saying he wouldn’t begin discussions until after the season. The Panthers, who lost in the Super Bowl two seasons ago, are in a play-off position again.

“I hope everyone in the organization, both on and off the field, will be firmly focused on one mission: to play and win the Super Bowl,” said Richardson, 81.

The NFL awarded Richardson, a former player with the Baltimore Colts, an expansion franchise in 1993, and he has been the team’s only owner.