The sale of the Carolina Panthers to new owner David Tepper was finalized this week, but disgraced former owner Jerry Richardson’s presence will still be felt in a big way outside Bank of America Stadium for the foreseeable future.
Roughly two years ago, the Panthers presented Richardson with a 13-foot statue outside Bank of American Stadium to honor him for his 80th birthday. Many have called for the statue to be removed in the wake of the disturbing workplace misconduct allegations against Richardson, but Tepper said Tuesday that his hands are tied.
Tepper says he’s contractually obligated to keep Jerry Richardson statue where it is.
Wow.— Joe Person (@josephperson) July 10, 2018
That likely means Richardson wrote in his contract with Tepper that the statue must remain, and it’s shocking that the NFL allowed it if that’s the case.
Richardson was forced out as the owner of the Panthers after it was revealed that he has reached multiple confidential settlements with his now former employees over workplace misconduct. The allegations included both sexual and racial components. An investigation determined that the conduct was limited strictly to Richardson and not other members of the organization.
While Tepper taking over the team signifies the start of a new era in Carolina, the presence of the Richardson statue will be viewed as a stain on the organization.
