The Panthers will soon be under new ownership, as incumbent owner Jerry Richardson announced plans to sell the team following the season after revelations surfaced regarding workplace misconduct. Richardson, who allegedly used inappropriate sexual comments and a racial slur, has already ceded day-to-day control of the club to new chief operating officer Tina Becker.
Let’s take a look at the latest on the sale of the Carolina franchise:
- The NFL wants the Panthers to remain in Carolina despite the impending change in ownership, according to David Newton of ESPN.com. “The franchise in Carolina is successful both on the field and from a business perspective as far as community impact,” said NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart. “So we think that it’s very important that franchises, particularly ones that have achieved the success of the Panthers, stay in the market where they’re playing.”
- The league did not pressure Richardson to put the Panthers up for sale, tweets Daniel Kaplan of SportsBusiness Journal. While that may be the case, it’s difficult to see how any other outcome could have occurred provided the allegations are founded. Given the current climate regarding sexual harassment, Richardson would have likely been forced to give up the Panthers if an investigation proved his accusers are telling the truth.
- Despite the circumstances surrounding the Panthers sale, the NFL’s rules regarding team sales will all remain in effect, per John Kryk of the Toronto Sun (Twitter link). The new controlling owner must have individually own at least 30% of equity and must be approved by three-quarters of the league’s owners. Thus far, Sean “Diddy” Combs and former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo have been mentioned as possible buyers.
- Lockhart also commented on a slew of other issues regarding the Carolina situation, including the fact that the league was not previously aware of several settlements reached between Richardson and his accusers, as Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer writes. Additionally, Lockhart says the NFL expects “full cooperation” from the Panthers during the sale process, and noted “failure to cooperate has its own set of consequences and potential discipline.”
Wow the NFL has some stones to talk about staying in Carolina after their whole St. Louis-to-LA debacle.
Yeah it’s doubtful they move, being that they are successful on the field and making money
Maybe Vince McMahon could buy them instead of starting his own league!
And, does anyone really prefer Diddy to DeBartolo as an owner? Let me think. DeBartolo has owned an NFL team that has been one of the most successful in its history. Diddy has owned what in the NFL? Enough said!
Diddy hanging out with Jerry, Spanos, and Kraft???? Get real. When he mentioned Kap…ass as partner/potential QB….it got more weird. New owner would be smart to get Cowher to coach….he has been waiting. Rivera is lost.
I’m sorry, but please elaborate on how Rivera is lost…
Mike Tice is a jerk. I have seen him in public @ the Del Mar race track…would not talk football to people in the suite…would walk away when people were trying to engage him. Who does this guy think he is? He has won nothing! It does not cost more to be polite…be nice to people. Polarizing….a kind description. There will be a going away party in Oakland when he leaves…and Tice won’t be invited.
Do you like talking about work when you have a day off?
Better yet – do you like talking about your work w/ people who think they know more about your job than you do?
So Vince McMahon just sold 3.4 million of his WWE stocks at a value around $100 million to reportedly revive the XFL…
Why doesn’t he just put an ownership group together and bid on the Panthers? He is from North Carolina…