Jerry Richardson

Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera on Sunday gave the type of lockerroom talk to his team you’d expect after a big win.

Rivera praised the playoff-bound Panthers for playing hard throughout game.

He noted they are in the playoffs, but by no means satisfied with that accomplishment.

He gathered players around him. And then, he had players shout the name of embattled owner Jerry Richardson.

Panthers owner Jerry Richardson took himself out of the team’s front office Monday, and turned over day-to-day operations to fellow executive Tina Becker. That came a day after he announced he's selling the team, and amid an NFL investigation of misconduct allegations against him. The news has led to lots of speculation about the fate of both the owner and the team, including what the Panthers might sell for, and potential buyers.

Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson is selling the team. Richardson, the team's only owner in its 23 seasons, made the announcement following Sunday's 31-24 win over the Packers - and on the same day that Sports Illustrated reported that at least four ex-employees received “significant monetary settlements,” stemming from inappropriate comments and behavior by Richardson.

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.