Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson announced his plans to sell the team on Sunday night, just hours after he was accused of sexual and racial misconduct toward former Panthers employees.
The Panthers launched an investigation into the allegations on Friday night, but the NFL will now take over.
A report published by Sports Illustrated outlined some of Richardson's alleged sexual and racial misconduct toward former employees, including comments made to a female, as well as slurs directed at an African American scout.
Among those in heaviest rotation: Show me how you wiggle to get those jeans up. I bet you had to lay down on your bed to fit into those jeans. Did you step into those jeans or did you have to jump into them?
Perceptions of casual racism hardened recently when, multiple sources told SI, Richardson directed a racial slur at an African-American scout for the Panthers. The scout left the team this year—but not, according to sources, before he sought the counsel of a Charlotte attorney who negotiated a confidential settlement on his behalf. Contacted by SI and asked if he wished to comment, the scout responded, “I’m not in a position to talk.”
Richardson released a statement last night regarding his decision to sell the team which reads, in part, “I believe that it is time to turn the franchise over to new ownership. 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 will be firmly focused on just one mission: To play and win the Super Bowl.”
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