Perv owner’s hard sell
IN A shocking development, longtime Panthers owner Jerry Richardson announced Sunday he plans to sell the team at the conclusion of the season.
The announcement came just hours after Sports Illustrated reported Richardson had paid off at least four women over workplace misconduct, including sexual harassment and using a racial slur.
“I believe that it is time to turn the franchise over to new ownership,” Richardson said in a statement. “Therefore, I will put the team up for sale at the conclusion of this NFL season.”
So far no potential buyers have been officially announced, but rapper Sean (P. Diddy) Combs says he’s interested.
“I would like to buy the @Panthers. Spread the word. Retweet!" Diddy wrote on Twitter.
Stephen Curry quickly responded to Combs’ tweet and offered his services in buying the team. “I want in!” Curry wrote. The two-time NBA MVP grew up in Charlotte and is an avid Panthers fan.
Richardson, 81, said he won’t begin the sale process or entertain any offers until after the season.
Richardson would frequently make several inappropriate comments directed at female employees regarding their appearance on “Jeans Day” every Friday, according to Sports Illustrated. Richardson would “ask women to turn around so he could admire their AP backsides” before cycling through one of his one-liners:
“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?”
While the majority of Richardson’s disturbing behavior centered on sexual harassment directed at female employees, the 81-year-old owner also paid off one African American employee after using a racial slur, according to Sports Illustrated.
Richardson did not address the reports of sexual harassment and using a racial slur in his statement.
The Panthers previously announced the team would launch an investigation into Richardson’s alleged workplace misconduct.
The NFL then said it would be taking over the investigation.
Diddy said he hopes to become the NFL’s first majority AfricanAmerican owner.
“There are no majority African-American NFL owners. Let’s make history,” Diddy wrote.
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton came to Richardson’s defense prior to the announcement.
“He’s had a father-like role to a lot of players in that locker room, present and past,” Newton said.