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Inside the Panthers' strategy for building on the bottom line

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — David Tepper didn’t build a personal fortune of more than $11 billion by taking many losses. His first 14 months as owner of the Carolina Panthers hammers home that perception — and reality.

Tepper paid $2.275 billion to buy the NFL franchise from founder Jerry Richardson and minority investors. Since then, Tepper, who became a multi-billionaire managing hedge funds, has pumped new life into the business side of the Panthers.

Notable moves and additions made since Tepper became owner in July 2018 include:

  • Overhauling the front office, including adding the team's first chief marketing officer
  • Negotiating incentives worth $160 million from South Carolina lawmakers for a new team headquarters and training complex to be built in Rock Hill
  • Luring new corporate sponsors and expanding existing agreements
  • Adding a practice bubble to the 9-acre complex next to BofA Stadium so the team no longer has to move training to a convention center ballroom during cold or rainy weather

“I think Mr. Tepper has taken good lessons from what’s happening up in Pittsburgh and with other teams,” said Jim Bailey, president of Charlotte-based Red Moon Marketing.

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