The Panthers paid more than $2M to “cover the costs of setting up the stage on the beach and public safety details” for their Stanley Cup championship parade this past Sunday, according to Susannah Bryan of the South Florida SUN-SENTINEL. According to police estimates released yesterday, the celebration drew “at least 220,000 people.” Last year’s parade was hit with rain and thunder, resulting in a “somewhat smaller crowd.” This year, the team’s bill for city services was $377,000, and Fort Lauderdale “made sure to get the payment upfront” this time. City spokesperson Ashley Doussard confirmed that the bill was “paid in full” on Friday afternoon. City records show last year, they “waited nearly a year” to get paid “despite sending invoice after invoice” (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 6/24).
RELATED: NHL seeks to capitalize on Florida teams’ Stanley Cup success
