Carolina Panthers

American Football

The Carolina Panthers, based in Charlotte, NC, compete in the NFL's NFC South and play at Bank of America Stadium. They have 2 Super Bowl appearances.

Founded

1993

Sport

American Football

Countries

United States

Owner

David Tepper

Summary

The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are a member of the National Football League (NFL) and compete in the NFC South division. The team was officially announced as the 29th NFL franchise in 1993, and they began playing in 1995. The Panthers are currently owned by David Tepper, who purchased the team from founder Jerry Richardson in 2018.

The Panthers play their home games at Bank of America Stadium, which is located in uptown Charlotte. The stadium, which opened in 1996, is an iconic venue that can seat just under 75,000 spectators. It also serves as the team’s administrative headquarters. Though the team has been based in Charlotte since its inception, it did play one season in Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina, during their inaugural year in 1995.

The Panthers made an immediate impact in their first few seasons. In 1995, their inaugural year, they finished with a 7-9 record, which was the best ever for an expansion team in the NFL. The following season, the Panthers took a massive step forward, finishing 12-4 and winning the NFC West. They went on to defeat the defending Super Bowl champions, the Dallas Cowboys, in the divisional round of the playoffs. However, their remarkable season ended when they lost to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game.

Despite these early successes, the Panthers struggled to maintain consistent performance in the following years. In 1997, they slipped to a 7-9 record, and in 1998, the team fell to 4-12, leading to the firing of head coach Dom Capers. This began a period of instability for the franchise, with several coaching changes and disappointing seasons. However, the team continued to rebuild, and key players like wide receiver Steve Smith and defensive end Julius Peppers were drafted in these years, helping to set the stage for the team’s future success.

The Panthers began to see success once again in 2003 under head coach John Fox. They finished with an 11-5 record, winning the NFC South division and advancing to Super Bowl XXXVIII. Although they lost a thrilling game to the New England Patriots, 32-29, the Panthers established themselves as a competitive force in the NFL. The 2003 season remains one of the most memorable in franchise history, and Super Bowl XXXVIII is often cited as one of the best Super Bowls of all time.

In the years following their Super Bowl appearance, the Panthers remained a contender in the NFC, with multiple playoff appearances, including a divisional round loss in 2005 and another NFC Championship Game appearance in 2008. However, it wasn’t until the 2011 draft that the Panthers truly began to take shape for the future. They selected quarterback Cam Newton with the first overall pick, and Newton’s dynamic playmaking ability quickly transformed the team.

In 2015, the Panthers had their best regular-season performance to date, finishing 15-1 and earning the top seed in the NFC. Newton was named the NFL MVP, and the team returned to the Super Bowl for the second time in franchise history. Unfortunately, they lost 24-10 to the Denver Broncos, but the season was a defining moment in the team’s history.

In 2018, businessman David Tepper purchased the Panthers, and the team entered a new era. Tepper made significant changes, including firing long-time head coach Ron Rivera in 2019 after a disappointing season. The team continued to struggle, especially with injuries to key players like Newton, who was released in 2020. The Panthers brought in Matt Rhule as head coach in 2020, but after three seasons, he was also let go in 2022 following another unsuccessful season.

In 2023, the Panthers hired Frank Reich as head coach, and the team started the season with high hopes, especially after trading for the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Panthers selected quarterback Bryce Young out of Alabama, marking a new era for the team at the quarterback position. Despite struggles, the Panthers continued to build for the future with a focus on youth and development.

The Carolina Panthers share intense rivalries with their NFC South opponents: the Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New Orleans Saints. These rivalries are especially fierce due to the geographical proximity of the teams, and the matchups between the Panthers and Falcons are some of the most anticipated games of the season.

Off the field, the Panthers have become a beloved team in both North and South Carolina. The team's "Keep Pounding" slogan, inspired by former player Sam Mills, has become a rallying cry for fans. The Panthers have also made a significant impact in the community, supporting local non-profits through Carolina Panthers Charities. The team holds several annual events, including the Taste of the Panthers fundraiser and the Keep Pounding Fund for cancer research.

History

The history of the Carolina Panthers dates back to 1987 when entrepreneur Jerry Richardson announced his bid for an NFL expansion franchise in the Carolinas. A former wide receiver for the Baltimore Colts, Richardson used his 1959 championship bonus to co-found the Hardee's restaurant chain and later became president and CEO of Flagstar, a company he successfully expanded. Drawing inspiration from the successful bid for an NBA team in Charlotte (the Hornets), Richardson sought to bring professional football to the region.

In 1991, Richardson Sports began holding preseason games across the Carolinas to gauge interest in the team. These games took place at Carter–Finley Stadium in Raleigh, Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, and Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. The overwhelming fan support and enthusiasm for a professional football team in the region led to Richardson’s successful bid for the 29th NFL franchise. On October 26, 1993, the NFL owners unanimously voted to award the franchise to Richardson, making the Carolina Panthers an official team.

The Panthers began play in 1995, one of two expansion teams that season, alongside the Jacksonville Jaguars. The franchise was placed in the NFC West division to balance the number of teams, with both the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints already in the division. The Panthers played their first regular season game against the Atlanta Falcons, losing 23-20 in overtime. Despite a rough start, the Panthers rebounded to finish their inaugural season with a 7-9 record, marking the best debut season ever for an NFL expansion team.

In their second season, the Panthers experienced even greater success. They finished with a 12-4 record and won the NFC West division title. The team won a playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys but fell short in the NFC Championship Game against the Green Bay Packers. Despite the loss, the Panthers' early years showed promise and established the foundation for future success.

However, the years following these early successes were marked by struggles. In 1997, the Panthers finished with a 7-9 record, and their performance dropped to 4-12 in 1998, leading to the firing of head coach Dom Capers. The following seasons saw changes in leadership, and the team faced inconsistent performances on the field. Despite these challenges, the Panthers drafted key players like wide receiver Steve Smith in 2001, and defensive end Julius Peppers in 2002, who would go on to become franchise cornerstones.

Under head coach John Fox, who was hired in 2002, the Panthers began to regain their competitive edge. In 2003, the Panthers finished with an 11-5 record, winning the NFC South division title. The team made a remarkable playoff run, culminating in a Super Bowl XXXVIII appearance against the New England Patriots. Despite a valiant effort, the Panthers lost the game 32-29, but the season remains one of the most memorable in the franchise’s history.

After the Super Bowl loss, the Panthers remained competitive, with playoff appearances in 2005 and 2008. However, the team continued to face challenges, particularly with injuries and inconsistent play at the quarterback position. In 2011, the Panthers selected quarterback Cam Newton with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. Newton’s dynamic playmaking ability quickly transformed the team, earning him the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. The Panthers’ fortunes seemed to change as they began to build a team around Newton.

The 2015 season marked the Panthers' most successful year in franchise history. They finished with a 15-1 record, tying the best regular-season record in NFC history. Newton was named NFL MVP, and the team advanced to Super Bowl 50. Unfortunately, the Panthers lost 24-10 to the Denver Broncos, but the season remains one of the most impressive in NFL history.

After a few years of decline, the Panthers entered a new era in 2018 when David Tepper, former minority owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, purchased the team for a then-record $2.3 billion. Tepper’s ownership marked a new chapter in the team’s history, and significant changes were made to the front office and coaching staff. In 2019, the Panthers fired head coach Ron Rivera after a disappointing season. The team hired Matt Rhule as head coach in 2020, but after two years of underperforming, Rhule was let go, and Steve Wilks served as interim head coach.

In 2023, the Panthers hired Frank Reich as head coach and selected quarterback Bryce Young with the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, signaling a commitment to building for the future. Despite struggles, the Panthers continue to develop young talent, focusing on a rebuild with an eye on future success.

Throughout its history, the Carolina Panthers have built a passionate fanbase throughout North and South Carolina. Their rivalry with NFC South opponents, particularly the Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New Orleans Saints, has been a defining feature of the team’s identity. With a rich history marked by early success, a Super Bowl appearance, and a commitment to rebuilding, the Panthers’ future looks promising as they continue to evolve under new leadership and a focus on youth development.

Ownership

The ownership of the Carolina Panthers has undergone significant changes since the franchise’s inception in 1995. The team was founded by Jerry Richardson, a former NFL player who was awarded the franchise in 1993. Richardson, a North Carolina native, was also an entrepreneur who had built a successful career in the restaurant industry before turning his attention to professional football. He led the Panthers as both the team’s owner and chairman until 2018.

Richardson’s leadership was instrumental in establishing the franchise, and the team’s early success in the NFL reflected his vision for a professional football team in the Carolinas. Under his ownership, the Panthers became competitive quickly, making their first NFC Championship appearance in just their second season and reaching the Super Bowl in 2003. Despite his successes, Richardson’s tenure was also marked by controversy, including allegations of workplace misconduct that surfaced in late 2017. In December 2017, after an internal investigation into these allegations, Richardson announced that he would sell the team.

In 2018, Richardson sold the Panthers to David Tepper, a billionaire hedge fund manager and former minority owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tepper’s purchase of the team was approved by NFL owners in May 2018 for a record $2.3 billion, which at the time was the highest price ever paid for an NFL franchise. Tepper, the founder of Appaloosa Management, a global hedge fund, brought fresh leadership and a new direction to the franchise. His ownership marked a shift toward modernization and growth, with a strong focus on community engagement and stadium improvements.

Tepper’s arrival was seen as the beginning of a new era for the Panthers, as he quickly set about making changes in the team’s operations. Under Tepper’s ownership, the Panthers have continued to build on their legacy while focusing on long-term success, including an emphasis on youth development and restructuring the team’s leadership. Tepper has also played a key role in efforts to build a new practice facility for the Panthers, reflecting his commitment to ensuring the team’s future success.

Award

Domestic
AFC Championships: 2 times