Ownership Announces Sale of Germain Arena, Southwest Florida's Premier Sports & Entertainment Venue, and ECHL's Florida Everblades

ESTERO, Fla., April 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Germain Arena, Southwest Florida's premier sports and entertainment venue, and the ECHL defending Kelly Cup Champion Florida Everblades, are being put up for sale effective immediately. The announcement was made by Germain Arena and Everblades owner Peter Karmanos, owner of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes, an Everblades affiliate, and Executive Chairman of Compuware Corporation. Both the team and venue, located in Estero, Florida, were founded in 1998.

"I am at a point in time where I want to simplify my life. While I have thoroughly enjoyed owning the arena and team and seeing the tremendous benefit they have been to the community, it is now someone else's turn," said Karmanos.

"With the rapidly improving economy in Southwest Florida, this is an excellent time for someone to acquire the team and the arena," said Craig Brush, Florida Everblades President and General Manager. "I'm proud of what we have accomplished over the last 15 years and believe that greater successes are on the horizon for both Germain Arena and the Everblades."

Sports investment bank Park Lane, led by its Founder and Managing Director Andrew Kline, will serve as the exclusive sell-side banker for both the team and the arena.

About Germain Arena and the Florida Everblades
Germain Arena is a 7,000+ seat multi-purpose venue viewed as "Hockey Heaven" by area residents and known as both home to the Everblades and for its two world-class hockey training facilities. The venue features 26 suites, two additional ice rinks, a private club and the Breakaway Sports Pub overlooking the ice.

The arena regularly hosts various events including concerts, circuses, Cirque du Soleil, boxing, mixed martial arts, ice shows, trade shows, and more. It is currently home to the Florida Tarpons (Ultimate Indoor Football League) and Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Hockey, and has also been home to the Florida Flame (NBA Development League) and the Florida Firecats (Arena Football League).

The Everblades are the ECHL affiliate of the AHL's Syracuse Crunch and Charlotte Checkers, and the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes. The Everblades have not missed the playoffs in their fifteen seasons, and have made three appearances in the Kelly Cup Finals. The franchise has finished first in the league in attendance five times.  

About Park Lane
Park Lane is an investment bank founded to provide sports finance advisory services to a variety of clients in the sports industry. The firm's bankers supply mergers and acquisitions advisory, corporate finance, consulting, financial advisory, and restructuring to sports leagues, teams, investors, and sports-related businesses. Park Lane combines in-depth financial expertise with unparalleled access. For more information on Park Lane, please call 310-201-8496 or visit www.prkln.com.

SOURCE JDP Communications