David Tepper is now officially the owner of the Carolina Panthers after the sale of the team closed Monday, the team announced.
It was reported back in May that Tepper was purchasing the team for $2.2 billion in cash and $75 million deferred and the other NFL owners approved the sale on May 22. Tepper was buying the team from founder Jerry Richardson, who put the Panthers up for sale after alleged confidential payouts for workplace misconduct, including sexual harassment and use of a racial slur sparked an investigation into the team’s workplace by the league.
“I am thrilled to begin this new era of Carolina Panthers football and am humbled by the overwhelming excitement and support for the team,” Tepper said in a statement. “On behalf of the fans and myself, I thank Jerry Richardson for bringing the team to the Carolinas and for entrusting me with its future. Winning is the most important thing both on the field and in the community, and I am committed to winning a Super Bowl championship together. I look forward to being part of the Panthers’ family and to supporting this flourishing region.”
With Richardson officially removed from the franchise after bringing it to Charlotte in 1995, he decided to offer a final goodbye to the fans who supported the team that won two NFC titles during his 23 years as owner.
In addition to Richardson being gone from the team, COO Tina Becker also announced her resignation from the squad after 19 years with the team. Becker had been the COO since December of 2017.
