The Carolina Panthers founder, Jerry Richardson, passed away on Wednesday night at the age of 86. Richardson was a prominent businessman who grew up in a poor family and worked hard to become one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country. He made his fortune in the restaurant business, becoming CEO of Flagstar, the sixth-largest food service company in the country at the time.
Richardson spent years trying to persuade the NFL to put a team in the Carolinas, ultimately succeeding through a relatively original concept of funding a new stadium through the sales of permanent seat licenses. The Panthers began to play in 1995 and Richardson quickly built Carolina into one of the league’s model franchises, while becoming a powerful figure in the NFL. Richardson served on several high-level owner’s committees, playing a key role in labor negotiations with the players’ union.
However, Richardson’s reputation took a turn when he announced he was selling the Panthers on Dec. 17, 2017, the same day Sports Illustrated reported that four former Panthers employees received significant monetary settlements due to inappropriate sexually suggestive language and actions by Richardson. It was also reported he used a racial slur directed toward a team scout. He sold the team to hedge fund owner David Tepper in May 2018 for a then-NFL record $2.27 billion. The following month, the NFL fined Richardson $2.75 million for alleged workplace misconduct.
Richardson never addressed the allegations against him publicly. After purchasing the Panthers, Tepper said he was “contractually obligated” to keep the statue of Richardson, flanked by two panthers, outside of the downtown Charlotte stadium that Richardson built. The team said that “moving the statue is in the interest of public safety.” It has never returned.
Despite these controversies, Richardson was a respected figure in the sports industry and his contributions to professional football in the Carolinas are historic. Current Panthers owner David Tepper and his wife Nicole said in a statement, “With the arrival of the Panthers in 1995, he changed the landscape of sports in the region and gave NFL fans here a team to call their own. He was incredibly gracious to me when I purchased the team, and for that I am thankful. Nicole and I extend our deepest condolences to Rosalind, the entire Richardson family, and their loved ones. We wish them much peace and comfort.”
Head Coach Frank Reich also paid tribute to Richardson, saying “I will always be thankful to Mr. Richardson for providing me with the opportunity to play for the Panthers. Being a part of the inaugural season is something that I will never forget. It was truly a special experience to play a part in the culmination of his efforts to bring football to the Carolinas.”
Jerry Richardson’s passing is a loss for the Carolina Panthers and the NFL as a whole. His legacy will be remembered for his contributions to professional football in the Carolinas and his impact on the sports industry.