A spokesperson said the Panthers did not have plans for the Richardson statue in CharlotteGETTY IMAGES
Following former Panthers Owner JERRY RICHARDSON's scandal that resulted in a $2.75M fine by the NFL, none of a handful of organizations in the Carolinas "announced plans to immediately change building names or awards in honor of Richardson," according to Cassie Cope of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. A Panthers spokesperson said that the team did "not have information on plans" for the statue of Richardson outside Bank of America Stadium. UNC-Charlotte's football team plays at Jerry Richardson Stadium, and the school's Associate Dir of Media Relations BUFFIE STEPHENS said, "UNC-Charlotte is aware of the NFL decision and discussing the implications of the decision for the University." Wofford College -- Richardson's alma mater -- has an indoor stadium named after him that opened last year, and Wofford Dir of News Services LAURA CORBIN said, "Wofford College’s physical campus, as well as the lives and futures of its students, faculty and staff, have been indelibly transformed by the generosity of Mr. Richardson. Beyond that, we have no further comment." The Charlotte Regional Partnership issues annual "Jerry Awards" named after both Richardson and former Charlotte Aviation Dir JERRY ORR, and the organization's Communications & PR Consultant DIANNE CHASE said, "At this time we are not considering a name change, but we may address this in the near future" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 7/3).
