Updated 1:58 p.m.
The Carolina Panthers have begun work on new field-level luxury boxes at Bank of America Stadium, the first in a series of off-season renovations that the team says are needed to "keep the stadium viable."
The first eight rows of seats have been removed in the west end zone to make way for 14 so-called "bunker suites." Those will be partially covered luxury boxes for at least 12 people that come with food and drink service. They were inspired by other sports arenas, said Panthers' ticket manager Joe LaBue.
"The idea we took from Madison Square Garden (in New York City). They've got some similar bunker suites. (And) Wrigley Field (in Chicago), we toured that stadium and saw what they did."
The work will eliminate about 900 seats held by 380 permanent seat license holders. LaBue said the team has begun notifying fans and offering them comparable seats elsewhere in the end zone or on the stadium's lower level.
LaBue did not say what the work would cost or how much the Panthers would charge for the new suites. A spokesman said the team is paying for the work.
The work is expected to be finished in time for the 2020 season.
Meanwhile, planning has begun for a new midfield tunnel and other renovations needed for the city's new Major League Soccer team. LaBue had no immediate timetable for that work, other than to say it would ready for the team's debut in 2021.
"You know, we're going to be playing here in 2021. So, you know, that's got to probably happen simultaneously with the construction of these bunker suites," he said.