6/30/2005 5:03:33 PM

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) - The Florida Panthers sold their interest in the San Antonio Rampage, a franchise that will become the AHL affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes.

Spurs Sports and Entertainment in San Antonio obtained full ownership of the Rampage, who signed a multiyear affiliation deal with the Coyotes.

"We look forward to working with the entire Coyotes organization, one that is closer geographically to San Antonio," Spurs Sports and Entertainment president Rick Pych said Thursday.

The Panthers will announce next season's affiliation agreements at a later date.

"We've enjoyed our relationship with Spurs Sports and Entertainment over the last three years and wish them the best," Panthers general manager Mike Keenan said.

The Rampage will be Phoenix's sole AHL farm team, filling a void created when the Utah Grizzlies suspended operations and severed ties with the Coyotes last month. Utah dropped into the less expensive ECHL.

"San Antonio is perfectly located to our parent team in Phoenix," Coyotes general manager Mike Barnett said. "It has an NHL-quality arena, and the organization has a wealth of experienced sports executives."

Barnett hired Pat Conacher and Gord Dineen as the Rampage's head coach and assistant coach, the same positions they held with Utah.

Phoenix assistant general manager Laurence Gilman will be the GM of the Rampage.