Yesterday Charlotte’s new Mayor Vi Lyles released a statement saying that she is “completely motivated” to keep the Carolina Panthers in the Queen City after Jerry Richardson sells the team.
This past Sunday, Richardson announced that he will be selling the Panthers at the conclusion of the 2017-18 season. His announcement came just days after the NFL launched an internal investigation into workplace misconduct allegations.
Charlotte currently has a 6 year ‘tether’ contract in place until 2019, meaning that whoever buys the team will have to keep the team here until June of 2019, and will then have the option of moving the team to a different city after the contract expires.
Lyles and members of the City Council are now committed to ensuring that doesn’t happen.
“The City of Charlotte values its long-running relationship with the Panthers after more than 22 seasons of NFL football,” Lyles said in a statement. “The Panthers are part of Charlotte’s fabric. We’ve celebrated victories and anguished over defeats. We understand transitions are inevitable, and we look forward to working with current and future ownership.”
In his announcement, Richardson said he won’t even start looking for a buyer until after the Panthers finish the regular season and postseason (and hopefully win the Super Bowl).