Panthers founder Jerome “Jerry” Richardson died Wednesday night at his home. He was 86.
No cause was given for Richardson’s death in the team’s announcement.
Richardson, a Spring Hope, N.C., native, owned the Panthers from 1995 to 2018. He began discussions to bring an NFL franchise to Carolina in 1987 and received help in his NFL bid from former Bank of America CEO Hugh McColl as well as sports marketing executive Max Muhleman. They helped establish the league’s 29th team in October ’93, and the team began play in ’95.
“Jerry Richardson’s contributions to professional football in the Carolinas are historic,” current Panthers owners David and Nicole Tepper said in a statement. “He changed the landscape of sports in the region and gave the NFL fans here a team to call their own. He was incredibly gracious to me when I purchased the team, and for that I am thankful. Nicole and I extend our deepest condolences to Rosalind, the entire Richardson family, and their loved ones. We wish them much peace and comfort.”
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement Thursday lauding Richardson for helping to pave the way for the league’s public-private stadium partnerships and his involvement in negotiating the NFL’s collective bargaining agreements.
“Jerry [Richardson] cared deeply about the welfare of players and the labor agreements he helped negotiate have led to improved pay and benefits for generations of players,” Goodell’s statement read. “From a personal perspective, he was a wise and caring advisor to me, his fellow owners, and many Panthers players and coaches over the years. On the NFL’s behalf, I extend our sincere condolences to Jerry’s wife, Rosalind, and their family.”
Near the end of Richardson’s tenure as the owner of the Panthers, he faced scrutiny when news surfaced that he made multiple confidential payouts to cover up workplace misconduct, including sexual harassment, and the use of a racial slur.
At least four former Panthers employees received payments after Richardson made inappropriate comments and exhibited improper behavior, Sports Illustrated reported on Dec. 17, 2017.
Following SI’s report, Richardson announced he would sell the franchise after the 2017 season. Months later, in May ’18, Richardson sold the team to the Teppers for $2.2 billion. In June ’18, the league fined Richardson $2.75 million for alleged workplace misconduct.
Richardson, a 1959 NFL champion with the Baltimore Colts, was named to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2000 and the South Carolina Business and Sports Halls of Fame in ’06 and ’15, respectively.
