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Accounting firm says client wants to buy Carolina Panthers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An accounting firm announced Tuesday that one of its clients wants to buy the Carolina Panthers.

[Panthers Sale: After playoff loss, what's next for team?]

Signature Accounting, a full-service accounting firm that serves clients throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Georgia, announced that the Wittenberg Family Trust officially submitted a letter of interest on Feb. 14 to purchase the team.

[Will Bank of America Stadium remain home to Panthers?]

“Signature Accounting is excited to announce the submission and acceptance of the official letter of interest to purchase the Carolina Panthers by the Wittenberg Family Trust,” said Marcia Bailey, owner of Signature Accounting. “The trust primary is a longtime football enthusiast and had strong ties to Walter Payton. Those strong ties are the sole reason for wanting to purchase the Panthers, as he continues to be inspired by Walter Payton’s legacy on and off the field.”

Bailey said she and the Wittenberg Family Trust have also been in contact with the offices of Gov. Roy Cooper and Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles.

Jerry Richardson, who founded the team and became the principal owner in 1995, announced in December he would sell his 48 percent stake in the team after the NFL started investigating allegations of workplace misconduct.

[RELATED: Panthers owner Jerry Richardson to sell team at end of season]

Earlier this month, Charlotte city leaders told Channel 9 that the sale of the team could come quickly once the season ended. They said there are six groups in the running to buy the team. Two of them are local and the rest are outside of North Carolina.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has gone on record saying he wants the Panthers to stay in Charlotte.

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