Carolina Panthers founder and former owner Jerry Richardson dies at 86
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Jerry Richardson dead at 86
The Carolina Panthers founder and former owner died on March 1, 2023. He owned the franchise from its inception in 1995 until 2018 when he sold it to David and Nicole Tepper.
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Jerome “Jerry” Richardson, the founding owner of the Carolina Panthers franchise, died Wednesday night at his Charlotte home at the age of 86.
Richardson, who was born July 18, 1936 in Spring Hope, North Carolina, grew up in Fayetteville and played college football at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
He had a brief playing career in the NFL with the Baltimore Colts before turning to a business career. Richardson eventually ushered in the launch of the Panthers franchise in 1995 after being awarded the league’s 29th team in 1993.
Richardson remained the owner of the team until May 2018 when he sold the franchise to current owners David and Nicole Tepper. The Teppers released a statement on Richardson’s death on Thursday.
“Jerry Richardson’s contributions to professional football in the Carolinas are historic,” the statement read. “With the arrival of the Panthers in 1995, 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.”
Along with his ownership of the Panthers and success in business , Richardson was known for his philanthropy in the Carolinas. In 2021, Richardson donated $150 million to Wofford College.
Wofford’s basketball and volleyball teams play in Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium. UNC Charlotte’s football stadium is also named after Richardson.
According to a Richardson family spokesperson, Richardson will have a private funeral with a public celebration of live event to be planned in the near future.
UPDATE: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released the following statement on Richardson’s death on Thursday:
“The NFL community is deeply saddened by the passing of Jerry Richardson.
“The Carolina Panthers are a testament to his extraordinary and tireless dedication to the community. But his league-first attitude as seen through his leadership of numerous NFL committees, including the Stadium Committee and Management Council Executive Committee, helped pave the way for a series of public-private stadium partnerships throughout the country, and collective bargaining agreements that continue to support the growth of the game.
“As a former player himself, Jerry 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.
“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.”
This story is developing and will be updated.
This story was originally published March 2, 2023 at 2:26 PM.
