Can We Still Consider the Panthers a Small Market Franchise?

[Jakob]

I'm going to keep this short and on point. Can we still consider the Panthers a small market franchise? The Carolina's as a whole would count as the 5th largest state in the country, not to mention the huge fan support in Virginia and Tennessee. We always rank in the top 8-10 in NFL attendance. It's been ages since we haven't sold out a game. The media talks about us fairly regularly and our social media presence is HUGE. So, if we are still considered a small market team, how much longer will it last? Greensboro, Charlotte and Raleigh are three of the fastest going cities in the world. North Carolina's population is skyrocketing. 

 

So, what does #PantherNation have to say?

[O-Ther]

When I wear my Panthers gear in Central Florida, people always ask me why I'm a Jaguars fan.

 

Until Carolina establishes a consistent winning tradition, it will remain a regional team with regional fans.

[ctrcat]

All reasons, among others, that the Carolinas should have an MLB team.

[TheNewStandard]

thia is a team that could go a long way towards national recognition.

I'm not so sure that the other franchises look at us as a stepping stone anymore.

Winning goes a long way towards national trecognnition. Gonna be an interesting season for sure

[B.BERSIN]

I wonder if the Packers are a small market franchise seriously?

[hepcat]

With a player as marketable as Cam Newton, if the Panthers win a Superbowl in his tenure in Carolina, they will be an extremely popular brand.  The Saints enjoyed a solid bump in popularity because of their success.  The Seahawks have enjoyed the same increase in new fans.  Carolina's fanbase is growing and could continue to grow as the wins come.  But as of right now, Carolina is only marginally more popular than other new market teams like the Titans or Jaguars.  The Texans and Browns were football cities for a long time so they don't really compare as well.

[Moorgan]

I wonder if the Packers are a small market franchise seriously?

ive been there. I was shocked they had a team. I get it bc of the history but they would never get a team today. But they now have like almost 100 years of history. We have 20.

[rippadonn]

16th largest city now so mid market may be more appropriate

[Delhommey]

No Carolina city really has much of a national reputation other than Charleston, which is only really known as a tourist spot.

The team has no Super Bowl championships or rich history.

Fandom is restricted to the Carolinas.

Our high "attendance" numbers are often driven by PSL's, and often in reality the stadium is half empty.

So a pretty resounding yes

[Liminy]

Over the past 2 seasons I've started to see a couple people sporting Panthers gear in St. Louis besides myself,  and I never hear anything negative really unless it's bitterness over the 2003 playoff game or just people hating on Cam, which usually someone argues about before I can even say anything myself. I think the market is definitely trending up quickly and it won't be long till it becomes a larger market franchise.  I've contemplated moving back to Charlotte myself, but can't pull the trigger yet.

[bigskypanthersguy]

Over the past 2 seasons I've started to see a couple people sporting Panthers gear in St. Louis besides myself,  and I never hear anything negative really unless it's bitterness over the 2003 playoff game or just people hating on Cam, which usually someone argues about before I can even say anything myself. I think the market is definitely trending up quickly and it won't be long till it becomes a larger market franchise.  I've contemplated moving back to Charlotte myself, but can't pull the trigger yet.

 

I don't know where or when the hell it happened, but over the last year or so my fellow Montanans have been a lot more complimentary about Panther football than I've heard in years.  Just a couple weeks ago, during the draft, when we had one of our two parades in town, a float of guys cheered me on as I crossed the street from the bar across the station due to my Panther fandom.  Nice that we seem to be on an upswing though.

[RelaxImaPro]

2013 Population Estimates

 

New York City - 8,405,837

Los Angeles - 3,884,307

Chicago - 2,718,782

Houston - 2,195,914

Philadelphia - 1,553,165

Phoenix - 1,513,367

SAN ANTONIO - 1,409,019

San Diego - 1,355,896

Dallas - 1,257,676

SAN JOSE - 998,537

AUSTIN - 885,400

Indianapolis - 843,393

Jacksonville - 842,582

San Francisco - 837,442

COLUMBUS - 822,552

Charlotte - 792,862

 

IMO you go buy the city the team is in. So for now, I'd say the Panthers are a mid-market team. They'll never be a large market team. The bolded cities are cities with no team obviously.

 

Charlotte is the fastest growing city in the United States, and at the rate it's growing it's not long off from the 1 million mark itself.

 

That combined with the hypothetical of us winning a Super Bowl with nationally recognized and highly marketable superstar players like Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly... yeah.  The Panthers could easily see a Seahawks' like explosion in their fanbase (albeit bandwagoners) nationally, and an unprecedented unity in support back in the Carolinas and surrounding areas.  Even though people hate bandwagoners, a good portion of bandwagoners end up becoming lifers.  

 

That's really about all it would take.  We just need to start winning.  That's how culture and fanbases are made.

[Goondal]

2013 Population Estimates

New York City - 8,405,837

Los Angeles - 3,884,307

Chicago - 2,718,782

Houston - 2,195,914

Philadelphia - 1,553,165

Phoenix - 1,513,367

SAN ANTONIO - 1,409,019

San Diego - 1,355,896

Dallas - 1,257,676

SAN JOSE - 998,537

AUSTIN - 885,400

Indianapolis - 843,393

Jacksonville - 842,582

San Francisco - 837,442

COLUMBUS - 822,552

Charlotte - 792,862

IMO you go buy the city the team is in. So for now, I'd say the Panthers are a mid-market team. They'll never be a large market team. The bolded cities are cities with no team obviously .

LA

[Chimera]

When I wear my Panthers gear in Central Florida, people always ask me why I'm a Jaguars fan.

 

Until Carolina establishes a consistent winning tradition, it will remain a regional team with regional fans.

 

You can't judge anything based off Floridiots.