Carolina Panthers

Panthers Get Special Access To Closed Council Meetings

Julie Rose — Tue, 07 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

Most of the Charlotte City Council's debate and deliberations about spending tax dollars on a renovation of Panthers' Stadium happened behind closed doors. That's pretty common when a city is hashing out economic incentives. But this case stands out because the Panthers were given unprecedented access to the council's process.

News Roundtable: Mayor Foxx, Airport Authority, Panthers And More

Wed, 01 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Is Mayor Foxx headed to Washington as the new Secretary of Transportation? His nomination may mean new leadership for the city. Who might fill his position here and what will Foxx face during his confirmation hearings. A panel of journalists and a political scientist share their thoughts on that and on the possible change in ownership of Douglas airport, Panther stadium funding and more when Charlotte Talks.

Charlotte Leaders In February Believed Panthers Were Looking Into 2013 Sale

Steve Harrison/Charlotte Observer — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:04:55 +0000

As Charlotte City Council debated in February whether to give the Carolina Panthers money for stadium renovations, the city attorney believed the team might be sold and moved if members turned the team down.

Transcripts of closed meetings released Tuesday also show the city and team tangled over the Panthers’ tax burden, the length of a contractual agreement to keep the Panthers in Charlotte, and even over a proposal that the city build the team a parking deck.

Panthers Get $87.5M Public Money For Stadium

Julie Rose — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:28:07 +0000

Charlotte taxpayers will pick up nearly two-thirds of the $147 million tab to renovate and maintain Bank of America Stadium.

The Charlotte City Council voted unanimously Monday night to give the Panthers $87.5 million it will collect through a tax on prepared food over the next 10 years.

City's New Plan For Panthers: $87.5 Million

Julie Rose — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:57:28 +0000

The Panthers have agreed to scale back their stadium renovation plans in order to cut a deal with the city that would pump $87.5 million toward the project. In exchange, Charlotte would be guaranteed to keep the NFL team for at least six years.

The Carolinas' Divided NFL Loyalties

Ben Bradford — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:08:43 +0000

Nationally, the Panthers aren't one of the NFL's most popular teams. In fact, try 4th least popular, according to an ESPN Sports Poll taken last year--not too surprising, considering the team is only heading into its 18th season of existence.

Veteran Journalists Challenge City's Secret Meetings With Panthers

Julie Rose — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:34:46 +0000

A group of former Charlotte reporters from the 1970s are taking the city to court over its decision to negotiate behind closed doors for tax money to renovate Panthers' stadium.

These same journalists and their lawyer sued the city for violating the state open meetings law in the early 1970's – and won. As a result, Superior Court Judge Frank Snepp placed the city under a permanent injunction against breaking the law.

New City Manager Ready To Deal With Challenges Simultaneously

Julie Rose — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 13:50:38 +0000

It's day two on the job for Charlotte City Manager Ron Carlee who was sworn in Monday night. But Carlee says he's actually been working for several weeks to get his arms around the many hot button issues facing the city right now.

Charlotte 'Regrouping' On Panthers Funding Plan

Julie Rose — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:36:41 +0000

The Charlotte City Council has given up the fight for permission to raise the local restaurant tax as a way to raise money for Panthers' Stadium upgrades.

Councilman James Mitchell says the measure passed by the state house Wednesday is "the best the city will get." It only gives the city flexibility to use existing restaurant tax revenues for the football stadium.

Panthers Stadium Funding Measure Clears State House

Julie Rose — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:00:49 +0000

A funding plan for Bank of America Stadium renovations has cleared the state House. On Wednesday afternoon, Representative Ruth Samuelson's measure passed with little debate.