CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers play six more home games this football season, including this weekend when they take on the New York Giants.
At every home game, you will see Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers swarm uptown Charlotte, directing traffic and protecting the Bank of America Stadium.
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In a 9 Investigation, Eyewitness News Anchor John Paul uncovered these officers are some of the lowest paid in any NFL town.
When CMPD officers work a game inside the stadium, it is paid for by the Panthers, not out of the city budget. They make an hourly rate agreed upon by CMPD and the Panthers organization. The office of Secondary employment sets a minimum rate, and the Panthers pay just above that.
The amount officers are paid to protect NFL games varies by team.
OFFICER PAY (Hourly) BY NFL TEAM:
Arlington Police (COWBOYS): $51 to $67
New Orleans (SAINTS): $33.68 to $73
Tampa Bay (BUCCANEERS): $52 to $61.75
Charlotte (PANTHERS): $34 to $54
Atlanta (FALCONS): At least $40
Miami (DOLPHINS): $52
Cincinnati (BENGALS):
Baltimore (RAVENS):
East Rutherford (NY GIANTS): $82
Officers working games in Atlanta make at least $40 per hour. In Miami, police working a Dolphins game pull in $52 an hour.
In Charlotte, CMPD officers make $34 an hour.
This disparity came as a surprise to some Panthers fans.
"I would think it would be somewhat equal all across the league," fan Tom Phillips said.
"I hope they get paid what they're worth because they're protecting us. That's only fair," fan Lynch Joseph said.
This Sunday, the Panthers will travel to play the New York Giants. The stadium is in New Jersey, but troopers who will work the game will make almost $50 an hour more than CMPD officers at $82 an hour.
This is something CMPD officers are aware of -- as they fought for a raise this past summer, several officers made mention they were the lowest paid in the NFL.
Charlotte Councilman Tariq Bokhari said he is surprised to hear about such a difference in pay.
He sent Channel 9 this statement:
"I'm grateful to our hometown team for providing these opportunities, but I'm a little surprised to hear about such a wide difference in pay compared to other cities. It would mean a lot if our new ownership would take a look at it and see if there's any opportunity to make an increase."
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