Charlotte Mayor Vows To Keep Panthers Following Jerry Richardson Scandal

A chaotic NFL sunday that included yet another “what is a catch?” scenario and the most important folded piece of paper ever was perhaps most noteworthy for a Sports Illustrated report about allegations of sexist and racist workplace misconduct by Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson. Among other things, Richardson, 81, was accused of directing a racial slur at a black Panthers employee and asking multiple female employees if he could shave their legs.

Just hours after SI’s bombshell report, the Panthers announced that Richardson, who has owned the team since its inaugural season in 1995, would sell it at the conclusion of this season. This led to rumblings that the Panthers could possibly leave their longtime home of Charlotte, North Carolina after the 2018 season. Charlotte mayor Vi Lyles is committed to making sure that does not happen, ESPN reported.

Lyles, who is a Panthers season ticket holder, said it is her goal to keep the team in Charlotte in the long term. In 2013, Richardson signed a deal to upgrade the stadium and keep the team there through the 2018 season, at which point they will have the option to move. The Panthers played their first season in Clemson, South Carolina before making Charlotte their permanent home in 1996.

"The City of Charlotte values its long-running relationship with the Panthers after more than 22 seasons of NFL football,'' Lyles, said. "The Panthers are part of Charlotte's fabric. We've celebrated victories and anguished over defeats. We understand transitions are inevitable, and we look forward to working with current and future ownership.''

There is no indication that whoever ends up buying the Panthers from Richardson will move the team, but things move quickly in the NFL. In 2015, San Diego and St. Louis had NFL teams, both of which play in Los Angeles now. The Oakland Raiders, one of the NFL’s most marketable and legendary franchises, are moving to Las Vegas in 2020.

Charlotte is a fast-growing city and the Panthers consistently rank in the top 10 in NFL attendance, but if a new deal is not struck prior to that 2019 deadline, the next Panthers owner could be inclined to make a move. Of course, it could all depend on who, exactly, buys the Panthers. ESPN said Eddie Debartolo Jr., the former Hall of Fame owner of the San Francisco 49ers, is interested. More publicly, Sean “Diddy” Combs threw his hat into the ring Sunday.