Panthers on the Prowl: Florida’s Off-Ice Mission Closing in on $1 Million for Cancer Research
Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito knows how to build a contender on the ice - but his latest goal has nothing to do with playoff seeding or trade deadlines. It’s about something bigger. Last March, Zito launched the Panthers on the Prowl initiative with a bold target: raise $1 million for cancer research.
Now, that goal is within striking distance.
The centerpiece of the campaign? A one-of-a-kind online auction featuring more than 20 life-sized panther statues, each uniquely designed and donated by celebrities, athletes, artists, and organizations. The auction wraps up this Friday, and if you haven’t checked it out yet, now’s the time.
The concept takes a page from Chicago’s iconic Cows on Parade. Donors received blank panther statues and were given full creative control. Over 120 were sold, and more than 20 of the finished works have been donated back for this auction - each one a personal, powerful statement in support of cancer research.
And the lineup of contributors is as star-studded as it is diverse.
Wayne Gretzky’s panther is a tribute to his legendary career, complete with his No. 99, his accolades, and nods to the Stanley Cup. Martina Navratilova, a cancer survivor herself, took a more abstract approach - dipping tennis balls in paint and firing them at the statue to create a polka-dot design that’s as playful as it is poignant.
Nick Bosa’s panther rocks a 49ers mini helmet. The Miami Heat went all-in, purchasing two statues and decking them out in their unmistakable Vice color scheme. Michael Bublé’s entry is sleek and subtle, with rhinestones forming words in braille - a tactile, emotional message that resonates beyond the visual.
Even celebrated artists like Romero Britto and Guy Harvey got involved, adding their signature styles to the mix.
Before the puck dropped at the Winter Classic on January 2, Zito had the statues lined up outside Marlins Park, giving fans a chance to walk among them - and take in the emotion behind each piece.
“Each one of these has a story,” Zito said. “Some are fun, some are silly.
Some are creative beyond anything I could have imagined. But all of them matter.
This is about raising money, yes, but also raising awareness. Because together, we truly can fight this insidious disease.”
This initiative is personal for Zito. He and his wife Julie - a breast cancer survivor - launched Panthers on the Prowl with a shared mission and a deep understanding of the fight.
As of earlier this week, the campaign had already raised more than $700,000. With the auction entering its final stretch, that $1 million mark is well within reach.
“There’s a reason everyone is so engaged,” Zito said. “They didn’t just throw money at this.
They gave their time, their talent. Because this is bigger than any one person.
Everyone has a connection to this cause.”
And that’s what makes this effort so powerful. It’s not just about art or hockey or even fundraising - it’s about community, purpose, and the stories that bring us together.
As of Wednesday morning, bidding for Bublé’s rhinestone-covered panther had reached $2,800. But there’s still time to get in on the action and help push the total across the finish line.
Next Up: Panthers vs. Bruins - Game No. 56
While the off-ice efforts continue to inspire, the Panthers are back in action Wednesday night, hosting the Boston Bruins at Amerant Bank Arena.
Florida leads the season series 1-0 after a 4-3 win in Boston back in October. The two teams will meet again in April.
Puck drops at 7 p.m. ET, with national coverage on TNT and truTV, and streaming available via HBO Max. Radio coverage includes WQAM and SiriusXM.
After that, it’s a quick turnaround as the Panthers head to Tampa Bay for a Thursday night showdown with the Lightning (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+).
But for now, the spotlight belongs to Panthers on the Prowl. And with just days left, the finish line is in sight - not just for a fundraising goal, but for a cause that hits home for so many.