The Charlotte City Council endorsed a proposal to give the Carolina Panthers $125 million for stadium renovations with a 7-2 vote during a closed session meeting late Monday night, according to people familiar with the debate.

Under the plan, a 1 percent tax on prepared food and beverages would be increased to 2 percent. That money would help fund the renovation plan for Bank of America Stadium, the team’s home since 1996.

Voting in favor of the plan — which still needs approval from the General Assembly and Republican Gov. Pat McCrory

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police didn’t allow members of the media near the room in which council members and the team were meeting. Council members often meet in closed session, but having police protect the meeting room is highly unusual.

boonewolf1 wrote: 125 million in rehab, it needs that much? Really.

wolfer79 wrote:

The Charlotte City Council endorsed a proposal to give the Carolina Panthers $125 million for stadium renovations with a 7-2 vote during a closed session meeting late Monday night, according to people familiar with the debate.

Under the plan, a 1 percent tax on prepared food and beverages would be increased to 2 percent. That money would help fund the renovation plan for Bank of America Stadium, the team’s home since 1996.

Voting in favor of the plan — which still needs approval from the General Assembly and Republican Gov. Pat McCrory

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police didn’t allow members of the media near the room in which council members and the team were meeting. Council members often meet in closed session, but having police protect the meeting room is highly unusual.

copper2945 wrote: There was an article by Pro Football Talk a couple  months ago that suggested that if Jerry did not get his upgrades, he might look to move the team to LA.  I have no idea how valid that is, but I am sure he used it as leverage so he did not have to come out of his pocket to pay for the upgrades.

If you have been a PSL owner since the start of the Panthers' organization, you have paid approximately $233,000 in 18 years for 4 playoff appearances. . . that's the numbers they are reporting on Wfnz.  The Panthers are a horribly run franchise too.  One of the worst in the NFL.

Jrb599 wrote: Hate that the tax payers have to pay for this.

copper2945 wrote:

If you have been a PSL owner since the start of the Panthers' organization, you have paid approximately $233,000 in 18 years for 4 playoff appearances. . . that's the numbers they are reporting on Wfnz.  The Panthers are a horribly run franchise too.  One of the worst in the NFL.

copper2945 wrote:

If you have been a PSL owner since the start of the Panthers' organization, you have paid approximately $233,000 in 18 years for 4 playoff appearances. . . that's the numbers they are reporting on Wfnz.  The Panthers are a horribly run franchise too.  One of the worst in the NFL.

ncdoc wrote: The tax payers didn't have to contribute very much to the initial building of the stadium unlike places like Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Minneapolis so, the deal they received then was pretty sweet compared to most other NFL cities.

If the taxpayers don't want to contribute they have the choice not to go to bars and restaurants unlike the folks in Cincinnati where they're charged a stadium tax by the city which helped in construction and maintenence of Great American BallPark and Paul Brown Stadium.

1985 NCSU Grad wrote: These upgrades help more than the Panthers. A lot of non profits make their whole yeaes budget doing concessions. City of Charlotte and local businesses get money for the traffic downtown during games, concerts, ACC title game and other private events held at the stadium. They do hold other things there besides sporting events. Also, the Panthers donate time and money to many charities, high schools, high school teams, little leagues, and other areas of need in the community. Many former players have retired to the area, they have become paid coaches, volunteer coaches, camp coaches, etc.

TruthBKnownReturns wrote:

Jrb599 wrote: Hate that the tax payers have to pay for this.

I get that, but the local economy does benefit from events in this venue.

copper2945 wrote: I am not a Redskins fan either, but the fact Jerry Richardson is more concerned with stadium upgrades instead of the worst salary cap issue in the NFL should tell you all you need to know about Jerry Richardson.

1985 NCSU Grad wrote: These upgrades help more than the Panthers. A lot of non profits make their whole yeaes budget doing concessions. City of Charlotte and local businesses get money for the traffic downtown during games, concerts, ACC title game and other private events held at the stadium. They do hold other things there besides sporting events. Also, the Panthers donate time and money to many charities, high schools, high school teams, little leagues, and other areas of need in the community. Many former players have retired to the area, they have become paid coaches, volunteer coaches, camp coaches, etc.

Jrb599 wrote:

ncdoc wrote: The tax payers didn't have to contribute very much to the initial building of the stadium unlike places like Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Minneapolis so, the deal they received then was pretty sweet compared to most other NFL cities.

If the taxpayers don't want to contribute they have the choice not to go to bars and restaurants unlike the folks in Cincinnati where they're charged a stadium tax by the city which helped in construction and maintenence of Great American BallPark and Paul Brown Stadium.

This may be the DUMBEST thing I've ever read.

copper2945 wrote:

If you have been a PSL owner since the start of the Panthers' organization, you have paid approximately $233,000 in 18 years for 4 playoff appearances. . . that's the numbers they are reporting on Wfnz.  The Panthers are a horribly run franchise too.  One of the worst in the NFL.

ncdoc wrote:

Jrb599 wrote:

ncdoc wrote: The tax payers didn't have to contribute very much to the initial building of the stadium unlike places like Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Minneapolis so, the deal they received then was pretty sweet compared to most other NFL cities.

If the taxpayers don't want to contribute they have the choice not to go to bars and restaurants unlike the folks in Cincinnati where they're charged a stadium tax by the city which helped in construction and maintenence of Great American BallPark and Paul Brown Stadium.

This may be the DUMBEST thing I've ever read.

Not real sure what you find so dumb about the post. The tax is on prepared food and beverage. You have the choice of going to a bar or restaurant. If you don't want to pay the tax then eat at home.

Pretty reasonable and sensable to me.

copper2945 wrote: There was an article by Pro Football Talk a couple  months ago that suggested that if Jerry did not get his upgrades, he might look to move the team to LA.  I have no idea how valid that is, but I am sure he used it as leverage so he did not have to come out of his pocket to pay for the upgrades.