The Carolina Panthers announced Friday evening that they are launching an internal investigation into allegations of workplace misconduct against the team’s owner and original founder Jerry Richardson; led by international law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart and Sullivan, LLP, the investigation is planned to be overseen by former White House Chief of Staff and graduate of the University of North Carolina Erskine Bowles.
“The Carolina Panthers and Mr. Richardson take these allegations very seriously and are fully committed to a full investigation and taking appropriate steps to address and remediate any misconduct,” Panthers spokesman Steven Drummond said in a statement issued. “The entire organization is fully committed to ensuring a safe, comfortable and diverse work environment where all individuals, regardless of sex, race, color, religion, gender, or sexual identity or orientation, are treated fairly and equally. We have work to do to achieve this goal, but we are going to meet it.”
“Erskine Bowles is a trusted leader of unquestioned integrity. We look forward to this report, which we know will be honest and thorough,” Drummond said.
Richardson, 81, was born in Spring Hope, North Carolina and attended Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, which is where the Panthers currently hold their training camp annually. The Panthers were unanimously awarded to Richardson’s group in October 1993 and Richardson has been the owner ever since, one of only two NFL owners to own his team for the entire history of the franchise.
The last public statement made by Richardson was in response to players kneeling during the National Anthem, although no Panthers kneeled or sat during the Anthem.
The NFL has declined to comment on whether they will launch their own investigation at this time.
UPDATE (10:40 AM, 12/17): The Panthers have confirmed that the NFL has taken over the investigation and leagues sources say that the league has hired outside counsel to investigate; the Panthers are no longer involved with the investigation.
