When Carolina Panthers owner and founder Jerry Richardson announced his intent to sell the franchise he brought to the NFL, it came as a bit of a surprise. Yes, the allegations had been levied against Richardson regarding workplace misconduct and an NFL investigation launched, but parting with his organization was a decision that likely didn’t come easy.
Once announced, speculation on potential new owners and minority partners ranged from Sean Combs, otherwise known as Diddy, to sports icons Michael Jordan and Peyton Manning. Others joined the bidding for months but eventually it was billionaire investor and hedge fund manager David Tepper who signed on the dotted line to potentially become the second owner in franchise history.