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Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson plans to sell the franchise amid sordid allegations
By Cody McClure
Published:
If you’ve got a few billion dollars lying around, you may soon be able to purchase an NFL team.
The Carolina Panthers are apparently going up for sale, according to a post from the organization’s official verified Twitter account on Sunday.
Owner Jerry Richardson believes the time has come for him to put the franchise up for sale, a statement noted. Now may be the time as a result of several sordid allegations against Richardson and the franchise.
“There has been no greater mission or purpose in my life than to have brought an NFL franchise to Charlotte,” Richardson said in the statement on the Panthers website. “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.
“I believe that it is time to turn the franchise over to new ownership,” Richardson continued. “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.”
It was reported on Sunday that the Panthers have made multiple confidential payouts for workplace misconduct, including sexual harassment and the use of a racial slur, according to a story from Sports Illustrated.
SI apparently learned that at least four former Panthers employees received “significant” monetary settlements due to inappropriate workplace comments and conduct by Richardson himself — “including sexually suggestive language and behavior, and on at least one occasion directing a racial slur at an African-American Panthers scout.”
Richardson reiterated that he hopes everyone in the organization will maintain this year’s goal to play in and win the Super Bowl.
“While I will no longer be the team owner, I will always be the Panthers Number One fan,” he said.
Cody McClure is an SEC Football Writer for Saturday Down South. He lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he also co-hosts a midday sports radio show for FOX Sports. Cody previously worked for Athlon Sports.
