A whirlwind of activity in the last 72 hours that began with the Panthers announcing an internal investigation of workplace misconduct from franchise owner and founder Jerry Richardson on Friday and culminated in the 81-year old announcing plans to sell the team when the season concludes has rocked the Carolinas and Panthers fans around the world. Shortly after Ian Rapaport reported that the NFL would be taking over the investigation from the Panthers, who had previously announced that the investigation would be led by an outside law firm and former White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles, Sports Illustrated published a lengthy article that reported multiple allegations of misconduct from Richardson.
After the Panthers defeated the Packers 31-24 with Richardson watching from his end zone suite, Richardson published the following statement on Panthers.com.
There has been no greater mission or purpose in my life than to have brought an NFL franchise to Charlotte. The obstacles back then were significant, and some even questioned whether our community could or would support professional football. But I always knew that if given the chance, The Carolinas would rise to the occasion.
And you have. The team has become an integral part of our community. The stadium is in its best condition since the day it opened. And we have played in two Super Bowls.
Football is also an integral part of my life — and I am blessed, every day, that I made The Carolinas my home. I can never repay all of you for the kindness and generosity you have shown me, Rosalind, and my family for more than two decades. We have the best fans in football — and I truly mean that. In my opinion, we also have the best organization, and they have served us well.
I believe that it is time to turn the franchise over to new ownership. Therefore, I will put the team up for sale at the conclusion of this NFL season. We will not begin the sale process, nor will we entertain any inquiries, until the very last game is played. I hope everyone in this organization, both on and off the field, will be firmly focused on just one mission: to play and win the Super Bowl.
While I will no longer be the team owner, I will always be the Panthers’ Number One fan.
With respect. Always.
Jerry Richardson
Within hours of the news, various celebrities with ties to North Carolina from Diddy to Stephen Curry chimed in on Twitter that they were interested in buying the team; Richardson paid $206 million for the expansion team in 1993 along with a group of minority owners. The franchise is believed by many to currently be worth more than $2 billion.
