Article on Jerry Richardson's Succession Plans

[King Taharqa]

That is ridiculous logic. You really believe that most PSL fans are fine with losing because Richardson is from Spartanburg??

He's actually from Fayetteville. But went to college in Spartanburg, and yes, he's been given a pass for so long because of his roots. Had he been someone from outside of this region, he would've been questioned a lot sooner and more than likely sold the team by now.

I wouldn't care if he were from the moon or downtown Charlotte. I want to win games and championships and don't care where the owner is from. I can confidently say that most other PSL fans would totally agree with me. The fact that most people are grateful that Richardson brought us the franchise is not at all granting permission to lose all the time. The fact that the stands have been pretty empty at times this year certainly tells me that fans aren't fine with the losing lately. The knock on absentee owners is more about not being involved in managing the team on a day to day basis rather than where they are living or are from.

I'll believe what you said when we actually have someone not from NC running the joint. Until then, its lip service. People defend mediocrity and losing because the CEO is a native. People give him blind trust and hope because he's someone they relate to or they cant fathom him ripping them off. Put someone they know nothing about or heard of at CEO of the Panthers and the perception and trust changes. If it werent a big deal, people wouldnt worry about succession plans and who's taking over. But they do, very much so.

[Scrumtrilescent]

The Levines, Belks, Sabates, etc. could get a group together to buy out JRR's share (I think I read somewhere some if not all of those are already minority shareholders anyway). I imagine this just ending up being a minority takeover with a disappointing lack of drama and threats the media would love to see and the sun comes out the next day like it always does.

[panthers55]

He's actually from Fayetteville. But went to college in Spartanburg, and yes, he's been given a pass for so long because of his roots. Had he been someone from outside of this region, he would've been questioned a lot sooner and more than likely sold the team by now.

I'll believe what you said when we actually have someone not from NC running the joint. Until then, its lip service. People defend mediocrity and losing because the CEO is a native. People give him blind trust and hope because he's someone they relate to or they cant fathom him ripping them off. Put someone they know nothing about or heard of at CEO of the Panthers and the perception and trust changes. If it werent a big deal, people wouldnt worry about succession plans and who's taking over. But they do, very much so.

Your dislike for him colors your perspective to the point you have no credibility. Maybe in your small corner of the world that is how you see it, but I can assure that the vast majority of fans do not think like you do. Succession plans are about whether we will have a team here and who will make decisions and it should be a huge concern for Panther fans given that it has been many years since the heart transplant and with each passing year the odds of survivorship go down. Whether the new owner is local or not is important only as to whether they will want to move the team somewhere else with no loyalty to this area.

[Panthro]

This team was held hostage by the thought of what happened with the Hornets. Well played Johnny Billionaire.

[King Taharqa]

Your dislike for him colors your perspective to the point you have no credibility. Maybe in your small corner of the world that is how you see it, but I can assure that the vast majority of fans do not think like you do. Succession plans are about whether we will have a team here and who will make decisions and it should be a huge concern for Panther fans given that it has been many years since the heart transplant and with each passing year the odds of survivorship go down. Whether the new owner is local or not is important only as to whether they will want to move the team somewhere else with no loyalty to this area.

In one sentence you dont care who or where the owner is from, in the next you're concerned if he's "loyal to this area". You're not gonna convince me people in this market are not invested into the identity and symbolism of our pro sports owner. When given the choice, they have pushed for local ownership everytime. Being "one of us" is very important, moreso than whether you can get the job done and if you win or not.

[Floppin]

People defend mediocrity and losing because the CEO is a native. People give him blind trust and hope because he's someone they relate to or they cant fathom him ripping them off. Put someone they know nothing about or heard of at CEO of the Panthers and the perception and trust changes. If it werent a big deal, people wouldnt worry about succession plans and who's taking over. But they do, very much so.

I'll believe what you said when we actually have someone not from NC running the joint. Until then, its lip service.

[Floppin]

People are curious about succession because they don't want the team to be sold to someone with aspirations of moving it from the state. This doesn't mean that they, necessarily, want it to be handed down, or sold, to a local. Just someone who plans to keep the team where it is.

[CatMan72]

I could see the Belk family buying the team with an investment group... the are part of the current ownership group.

[Carl Spackler]

He's actually from Fayetteville. But went to college in Spartanburg, and yes, he's been given a pass for so long because of his roots. Had he been someone from outside of this region, he would've been questioned a lot sooner and more than likely sold the team by now.

I'll believe what you said when we actually have someone not from NC running the joint. Until then, its lip service. People defend mediocrity and losing because the CEO is a native. People give him blind trust and hope because he's someone they relate to or they cant fathom him ripping them off. Put someone they know nothing about or heard of at CEO of the Panthers and the perception and trust changes. If it werent a big deal, people wouldnt worry about succession plans and who's taking over. But they do, very much so.

What if Harvey Gantt or Anthony Foxx took a major stake in the team? They're local. Are they "good 'ol boys too," or is there something about them that makes it OK?

[frash.exe]

Vince McMahon went to ECU

we saw what vince does with football already

[MrBubba]

If a new Jerry Jones, type comes up with the coin, they can still move team a few years later. The money Charlotte spending now won't keep a new owner tied down for long.

[CatMan72]

Putting the team up for sale to the highest bidder is what's best for the franchise.

Personally, I think it's highly unlikely that a new owner would abandon a stadium they own outright and that is 70% sold out.

Remember that in order to move, the new owner would have to meet the league's criteria and receive approval from the rest of the owners... you can't just move a team because you feel like it anymore, the league realized that relocating teams is bad for business, even when it's justified.

Consider that the Vikings are the lowest revenue-generating team in the NFL. If the NFL wanted a team in LA, the Vikings were the perfect team to relocate, yet the NFL bent over backwards to convince the MN state legislature to pass a bill that would get a new stadium built in MN.

If you think about it, LA is much more valuable to the league without a team, because it can be used as leverage to get new stadiums built. It's no accident the the commish said he could see "one or two" teams in LA and the NFL had no plans to expand... DUN, DUN, DUNNNNNN! (so, about that new stadium the Vikings are asking for...)

Also, the last thing we need is Mark and Jon Richardson inheriting the team and resuming the in-fighting that prompted JR to fire them in the first place. Things must have been pretty toxic for JR to feel compelled to fire his own sons, you really want these guys assuming control of the team when JR kicks the bucket?

Furthermore, who is to say that Mark and/or Jon Richardson wouldn't pack up the team and leave?

[Mr. Scot]

Putting the team up for sale to the highest bidder is what's best for the franchise.

Personally, I think it's highly unlikely that a new owner would abandon a stadium they own outright and that is 70% sold out.

Remember that in order to move, the new owner would have to meet the league's criteria and receive approval from the rest of the owners... you can't just move a team because you feel like it anymore, the league realized that relocating teams is bad for business, even when it's justified.

Consider that the Vikings are the lowest revenue-generating team in the NFL. If the NFL wanted a team in LA, the Vikings were the perfect team to relocate, yet the NFL bent over backwards to convince the MN state legislature to pass a bill that would get a new stadium built in MN.

If you think about it, LA is much more valuable to the league without a team, because it can be used as leverage to get new stadiums built. It's no accident the the commish said he could see "one or two" teams in LA and the NFL had no plans to expand... DUN, DUN, DUNNNNNN! (so, about that new stadium the Vikings are asking for...)

Also, the last thing we need is Mark and Jon Richardson inheriting the team and resuming the in-fighting that prompted JR to fire them in the first place. Things must have been pretty toxic for JR to feel compelled to fire his own sons, you really want these guys assuming control of the team when JR kicks the bucket?

Furthermore, who is to say that Mark and/or Jon Richardson wouldn't pack up the team and leave?

Jon Richardson I'd be fine with.

Mark? Not so much.

[The_Light_Brigade]

Jim Goodnight has a fug ton of money.