Panthers Notes: David Tepper, Ron Rivera, Facilities, Jerry Richardson

Here are some notes from New Panthers owner David Tepper’s introductory press conference on Tuesday.

Ron Rivera

Tepper said Tuesday that they’re “blessed” to have a good football staff including HC Ron Rivera.

“You actually have – you don’t want to give people too many compliments — but you’re actually blessed with a pretty good football side here,” Tepper said, via the Charlotte Observer.

“I’m not looking to do too much there. I think we’ve got some good folks there,” Tepper added. “I know people always want to hear things that are bad. They’re not bad. Sorry, can’t do it. It is what it is.”

Facilities

Regarding the team’s stadium, Tepper admitted that the team is “falling behind a little bit” in terms of facilities.

Tepper said that if they were to build a new practice facility, they could use the land for other development.

“If we do move the practice field from right beside the stadium, you do open up land for development here,” Tepper said, via the Charlotte Observer.

Tepper added that he would like to host more events such as “the right kinds of concerts” and high school state championship football games at Bank of America Stadium.

Jerry Richardson

According to Tepper, he’s contractually obligated to keep the statue of team founder Jerry Richardson outside the stadium.

“I’m contractually obligated to leave that statue where it is,” Tepper said.

Ian Rapoport reports that keeping the statue was included in the contract terms presented to all bidders for the franchise by Richardson’s lawyer and it sounds like this was non-negotiable.

Hires

The Panthers announced Monday that Tina Becker officially resigned as the team’s COO.

Tepper says that he’s he’s zeroing in a couple of candidates for team president and has two names in mind to fill current front office vacancies.