(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper is pushing hard for a $1.3 billion upgrade to Bank of America Stadium, and he says he needs $650 million in taxpayer dollars to make his dream come true.
The multi-billionaire would match that total, plus a few million more, and promises to renovate the nearly three-decade-old facility into a modern NFL palace.
But with the request for city money comes critics who believe the wealthy are feeding out of the taxpayer trough, and Tepper is busy attempting to win hearts and minds over to his plan.
Former Carolina quarterback Cam Newton weighed in on Tepper’s proposition, declaring that the deal with the city will not get done if Charlotte’s leadership is not on board.
He asserted, “None of this is going to matter if the man in charge isn’t at one with the city!”
“None of this is going to matter if the man in charge isn’t at one with the city!”@CameronNewton reacts to David Tepper wanting $650 million from Charlotte for stadium upgrades pic.twitter.com/Q0zvR5MdmO
— 4thand1show (@4thand1show) June 17, 2024
There is a public hearing scheduled for Charlotte city leaders to hear from residents about their views on the proposed upgrade.
Of course, the drumbeat in the background is the ever-present threat to relocate professional franchises away from one of the jewel cities of the South.
Some critics argue that the stadium, which also hosts Charlotte FC of the MLS as well as numerous concerts annually, does not need the massive renovation sought by Tepper.
Is a move away from Charlotte possible?
Recent history shows that the more likely fallout would be relocating to a suburban location away from the city center.
It seems unlikely that the NFL would leave the burgeoning North Carolina market, but the threat may be enough.
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