CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A hedge fund manager could be emerging as the new favorite to buy the Carolina Panthers.

Friday, an NFL.com article reported that David Tepper has been identified as the best candidate to buy the team. He is also already a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The possible sale was a topic of discussion during a broadcast of the Garcia and Bailey show at WFNZ. A former NFL executive said in the end, money will be the deciding factor.

"The NFL partners get together and there are ventures they want to get involved in. There are ways they want to expand their brand . What does that require? It requires a lot of money," former Vice President of Green Bay Packers Andrew Brandt said.

RELATED: Woman calls for removal of Jerry Richardson statue          

The NFL article estimates Tepper's net worth at $11 billion, more than enough to buy the team for the $2.5 billion asking price.

"The more resources you have the better, for not only for the team but the whole brand, and that’s where $11 billion comes in. You can throw one billion at a stadium," Brandt said.   

RELATED: Panthers assistant coach Fuller resigns after investigation     

At rookie camp Friday, coach Ron Rivera was mum on any rumors.

"I don’t want to speculate on anything," he said. "My understanding was everything was hinging on the ownership meeting coming up in a few weeks and we'll go from there."

RELATED: Tina Becker named Panthers COO

That ownership meeting is less than two weeks away in Atlanta.         

The team went up for sale in December after sexual assault allegations were lodged against current owner Jerry Richardson.

Get the latest news, sports and weather delivered straight to your inbox. Click here to sign up for email and text alerts.