Gambling could be key part of Panthers' future

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Panthers' stadium, team offices and practice field are in uptown Charlotte, but with the offices and practice field moving to South Carolina, many are wondering if the stadium could be next.

So Channel 9's Allison Latos requested emails, voicemails and texts from Charlotte city leaders about the Panthers.

['Two States, One Team': Panthers, South Carolina celebrate tax break bill signing]

The records revealed the potential cost to rehab Bank of America Stadium and how the stadium location could boil down to where cheering fans can literally put their money where their mouths are.

Earlier this year, Panthers owner David Tepper told Channel 9 he wants fans to be able to cheer for a win and bet on one, too.

"With some of the changes with gambling, we do have an advantage, so we can think what fans want. We need to make sure they are in our building to cheer this team on," Tepper said.

The records show in-stadium gambling and stadium location have been on officials' radar for at least the last year.

In an email from August 2018, Assistant City Manager Tracy Dodson said, "Perhaps a lot of this is being positioned not about incentives one state will offer over another state, but more about the value of a facility that can offer gambling. That could be ultimately what drives the location."

North Carolina lawmakers recently legalized sports betting.

Channel 9 has reported on the fact that by the middle of the National Football League season, fans will be able to bet on a Panthers win, but only in the two Cherokee casinos.

Latos asked if leaders plan to expand it to places like the Panthers' stadium, but they have not responded yet.

South Carolina lawmakers like Rep. Gary Simrill helped lure the team across the state line with an incentives build to build a new practice facility, offices and more, but told Channel 9 the idea of gambling in South Carolina won't make it to the end zone.

The email from Dodson also hints at the potential cost of upgrading the 23-year-old stadium at $350 million.

[ALSO READ: Raise the roof? Panthers' owner hints at stadium upgrades, future plans]

She also referenced a new stadium location could involve 100 acres.

The records also show leaders discussed several possible locations to keep the practice facility in Charlotte before the Rock Hill site was selected. The locations included about 100 acres just north of Northlake Mall, Steele Creek near the outlet mall, a place near the Arrowood light rail station and a site by the Waverly on Providence Road in south Charlotte.

So far, the Panthers have not said they have any intention of moving from Bank of America Stadium.

Cox Media Group