NFL Panthers Owner Jerry Richardson is "stepping aside from day to day control immediately" to focus on the sale of the team. Tina Becker "will be COO with full control of organization effective immediately" (TWITTER.com, 12/18).
Panthers coach Ron Rivera was "surprised and disappointed to learn" Owner Jerry Richardson "planned to put the team up for sale" after the '17 season. Rivera said that the team will "continue to 'go forward' with their playoff push and let the investigation by the NFL into Richardson's conduct play out." Rivera spoke to his players today and "reminded their focus should be on football just as it has when the team has faced other off-the-field distractions in the past" (ESPN.com, 12/18).
Meanwhile in N.Y., Gary Myers writes under the header, "
Roger Goodell Has No Choice But To Suspend Jerry Richardson." The Panthers founder "should not be treated any differently than the NFL Network’s
Marshall Faulk,
Heath Evans and
Ike Taylor." Goodell will "look weak if he treats him differently and holds him to different standards." Myers: "In fact, he should have already suspended him" (
NYDAILYNEWS.com, 12/18).
