Tagged: Carolina Panthers

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.

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.

  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. 

In exchange for public money, the Panthers promise to stay in Charlotte for at least six years, with financial penalties that kick in if the team leaves within ten years. City staff call the deal a "tether" that will keep another city from poaching the team.