Richardson announces he will put the Carolina Panthers up for sale

Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson announced Sunday that he will put the franchise up for sale after the season is over.

Richardson put up a five-paragraph message on the Panthers’ website to announce his intentions.

Richardson recently became under investigation by Carolina and later the NFL in light of allegations of sexual misconduct and making racial slurs, according to The Associated Press. He did not reference the investigation in his message.

A Sports Illustrated report cites unnamed sources who said Richardson made sexually suggestive comments to women and on at least one occasion directed a racial slur at an African-American Panthers scout. The report states that the settlements came with non-disclosure requirements forbidding the parties from discussing the details.

“I believe that it is time to turn the franchise over to new ownership,” Richardson’s message reads. “Therefore, I will put the team up for sale at the conclusion of this NFL season. We will not begin the sale process, nor will we entertain any inquiries, until the very last game is played. I hope everyone in this organization, both on and off the field, will be firmly focused on just one mission: to play and win the Super Bowl.”

Richardson began the address essentially thanking the fans for making football work in the Carolinas.

“There has been no greater mission or purpose in my life than to have brought an NFL franchise to Charlotte,” it reads. “The obstacles back then were significant, and some even questioned whether our community could or would support professional football. But I always knew that if given the chance, The Carolinas would rise to the occasion.

“And you have. The team has become an integral part of the community. The stadium is in its best condition since the day it opened. And we have played in two Super Bowls.”

He ended by saying that while he’ll sell the team, he’ll always be partial to the franchise.

“While I will no longer be the team owner, I will always be the Panthers Number One fan.”

The NFL awarded Richardson an expansion franchise in 1993 and he has been the team’s only owner.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This story was originally published December 17, 2017 at 8:06 PM with the headline "Richardson announces he will put the Carolina Panthers up for sale."