Tepper had signed a definitive agreement to purchase the Panthers on May 16 PANTHERS
New Panthers Owner David Tepper this morning took part in an introductory press conference at Bank of America Stadium following the completion of his $2.275B purchase of the team, "ending the tenure" of Founder Jerry Richardson after 25 years, according to Erik Spanberg of the CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL. Tepper had "signed a definitive agreement to purchase the team on May 16," and NFL owners "approved the purchase at their Spring Meeting in Atlanta a week later." Richardson "released a farewell statement thanking fans for their support of the franchise." Tepper "will not keep any of Richardson’s minority investors" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 7/9). ESPN.com's David Newton noted since being unanimously approved by owners to purchase the team, Tepper has "met with team captains and other veteran players, as well as Bank of America Stadium employees on the business side." Tepper has been "limited in what he could say about the sale," but "judging by his business moves in the past, he won't be afraid to make changes." Now the question is "how Tepper will change the culture that led to the investigation into Richardson." Tepper was "briefed separately by independent investigator Mary Jo White prior" to the league fining Richardson $2.75M last month (ESPN.com, 7/9). In Charlotte, Jourdan Rodrigue in a front-page piece notes Tepper has "pledged to keep the team in Charlotte." Tepper also said that he "wants to continue to honor the Panthers' two-state fan base." It is "unclear how many people on the Panthers' staff will be retained" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 7/10).
EMPTY GOODBYE? USA TODAY's Nate Davis notes Richardson in his farewell statement to the team and its fans "made no mention of any wrongdoing -- nor expressed a scintilla of remorse." Richardson "thanked the fans, players and alluded to the quality product he was handing over to Tepper, saying 'Carolina is and will be a contender'" (USA TODAY, 7/10). YAHOO SPORTS' Frank Schwab wrote without "some admission of the reason" Richardson sold the team or an "apology to the people who he affected when he was acting like his NFL team was a bad fraternity house, his farewell is meaningless" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 7/9).
LEADERSHIP CHANGE: The CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL's Spanberg noted Panthers COO Tina Becker "has resigned." Becker "worked for the Panthers for 19 seasons" and was "promoted to COO in December after Richardson stepped away from operational responsibilities" after the NFL investigation began. She joined the Panthers full time in '99, "working her way up through the organization and serving in key roles along the way, including directing the organization’s business and administrative priorities, as well as dealing with league affairs." Becker became a "familiar presence at league meetings in recent years, often representing the Panthers as Richardson receded from his former prominent role in NFL matters." Becker previously "worked on team-related special events and game-day entertainment, among other duties." There is "no immediate replacement for her position" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 7/9).
