In Charleston, Andy Shain reports NFL Panthers Owner David Tepper will meet with South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster next week about "moving the team's headquarters and practice facilities" to the state. Tepper has "not hidden his desire to build new practice facilities" as the current facilities near Bank of America Stadium "lack the state-of-the-art amenities of its NFL rivals." One location "under serious consideration" is the site of the former Knights Stadium and Hornets practice facility in Fort Mill, S.C., 15 miles south of Bank of America Stadium (Charleston POST & COURIER, 3/7).
PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS: In Cincinnati, Patrick Brennan noted preparations are "well underway" for FC Cincinnati's first MLS home match on March 17 against the Timbers at Nippert Stadium, and those attending should "expect plenty of pomp." Mercy Health, the team's jersey sponsor, will "present the inaugural home game, and provide more than 25,000 free Mercy Health jersey towels to fans." Additionally, a ceremonial "flag will be raised in the horseshoe end of Nippert Stadium prior to the game." It will "fly above the stadium every game this season" (CINCINNATI.com, 3/6).
THE WEIGHT OF A CITY: In San Diego, Nick Canepa wrote the Padres' signing of 3B Manny Machado was "inspired." The team "never did own this town when the NFL was here." But they "do now, basically by default." Canepa: "And Machado, if he's himself, becomes the face not only of the Padres, but San Diego" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 3/6).
