Carolina Panthers owner/founder Jerry Richardson took a brief respite from answering questions Wednesday at training camp by directing his own inquiry at anyone who had negatively wondered about his financial commitment to the franchise. “Does anybody feel just a little bad about calling me cheap last year, just a smidgen?” Richardson asked following NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s fan forum.
With the team sinking to a league-worst 2-14 and fan enthusiasm equaling the level of a funeral procession, many fingers pointed at Richardson as the team remained well under the salary cap and was a virtual ghost in the free agent market. Last season’s lockout didn’t refer to any labor situation but rather Richardson’s bank account as he gained a reputation for frugality among Panthers fans that didn’t settle well with those shelling out big bucks for tickets.
But a year later Richardson suddenly became footloose and fancy free with his funds, and Carolina has been breaking the bank to re-sign its best players.
CARRY ON
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