Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper is in the spotlight this offseason for a hardly uncommon request.
In this age of ultra-modern NFL stadiums, he believes that his team’s home requires a significant upgrade.
For that, Tepper wants Charlotte area taxpayers to contribute a sizable chunk of funds so that the Panthers’ facilities are up to par with the rest of the league.
Per Pro Football Talk, Tepper seeks $650 million to upgrade Bank of America Stadium, which opened in 1996.
David Tepper wants $650 million in free money from Charlotte to upgrade the Panthers’ stadium. The “or else” is looming. What if they call his bluff? Where will he go? (Not Rock Hill, that’s for damn sure.) https://t.co/DfH10ODhaq
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 16, 2024
The total price tag for the renovations sought by the team owner is $1.3 billion, and he proposes to foot half of the bill, with taxpayers coming up with the other half.
Tepper Sports and Entertainment would specifically pony up $688 million along with the $650 million sought from the city.
The owner is worth approximately $20 billion.
Bank of America Stadium doubles as the home of Major League Soccer’s Charlotte Football Club and is in use year-round in hosting other sporting events as well as concerts.
Tepper seeks to upgrade to better seating, a more modern sound system, a new scoreboard and jumbotron as well as remodeled concession stands.
However, sentiment toward public financing of NFL stadiums appears to be waning, as proposals for funding traditional franchises such as Kansas City and Chicago are finding rough sailing.
The climate may be more stadium-friendly in Charlotte, where some local leaders are on record supporting a partnership with Tepper to upgrade the facility.
Without upgrades, Tepper could always roll out the threat to relocate the franchise.
This is a move that both the NFL and Charlotte officials would rather avoid.
