NFL Franchise Owner Jerry Richardson Confirms Panthers Up For Sale

The NFL is arguably one of the biggest sporting franchises in the world and a number of wealthy investors and companies are eager to own an NFL team. They will get the opportunity to purchase the Carolina Panthers next season as current owner Jerry Richardson has released a statement confirming that he intends to sell the Panthers next season.

Richardson has been the sole owner of the Carolina Panthers who have done rather well for themselves in recent times. The Panthers played the Super Bowl two seasons ago and lost.

They have done well this season and will be a part of the playoffs. The main reason floating around as to why Richardson has decided to sell the Panthers is because he has been hit with allegations of sexual misconduct and racist slurs.

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In a statement, Richardson said

There has been no greater mission or purpose in my life than to have brought and NFL franchise to Charlotte. The obstacles back then were significant and some even questioned whether or community could or would support professional football. But I always knew that if given the chance the Carolina would rise to the occasion. And you have.

The Carolina Panthers played well on Sunday night to defeat the Green Bay Packers and Richardson wants the team to focus on just one thing and that is to play the Super Bowl and come out on the winning side. He confirmed that everyone representing the Panthers both off and on the field will focus on this goal and not let anything distract them from this mission.

Richardson also confirmed that there will be no sale talks during the season and discussions will only start when the season is over. The NFL has so far made no statement on the Panthers sale nor has Richardson given any indication if the alleged sexual harassment and racist slurs are the reason he decided to put the Panthers up for sale.

The allegations against Richardson surfaced after a Sports Illustrated report claimed that Richardson had made sexually suggestive remarks to women and a racist remark to a Panthers scout who was African American. The NFL has launched an investigation into these allegations and is yet to release any information on their findings.

Marty Hurney who is the interim general manager for the Panthers backed Richardson and said that he had never witnessed Richardson resorting to racial slurs or sexual misconduct.