(Via The Daily Wire)
#MeToo has officially taken down an NFL owner. In a league-shaking development on Sunday, Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson announced that he will be selling the team at the end of the season. Richardson’s decision comes after the franchise opened an investigation into claims of sexual harassment and a racial slur against the owner on Friday.
Richardson made the announcement in a press release Sunday in which he wrote that he believes “it is time to turn the franchise over to new ownership,” which he will do “at the conclusion of this NFL season” (full text below).
Though neither the team nor the NFL has given specifics about the investigation, ESPN reports that the league took over the investigation at the request of the team, which cited “transparency reasons.”
According to Sports Illustrated, the team has settled with at least four former employees on behalf of Richardson for alleged misconduct in the workplace:
During its own investigation in the weeks prior, SI learned that on multiple occasions when Richardson’s conduct has triggered complaints—for sexual harassment against female employees and for directing a racial slur at an African American employee—he has taken a leaf from a playbook he’s deployed in the past: Confidential settlements were reached and payments were made to complainants, accompanied by non-disclosure and non-disparagement clauses designed to shield the owner and the organization from further liability and damaging publicity.
“Richardson, 81, allegedly made verbal comments about women’s appearances, inappropriately touched female employees and made advances to women that included asking whether he could shave their legs and for them to give him foot rubs,” ESPN reports.
Team spokesman Steven Drummond said in a press release Friday that the team is taking the allegations very seriously and plans to conduct a full investigation.
“The entire organization is fully committed to ensuring a safe, comfortable and diverse work environment where all individuals, regardless of sex, race, color, religion, gender, or sexual identity or orientation, are treated fairly and equally,” said Drummond. “We have work to do to achieve this goal, but we are going to meet it.”
In his statement Sunday, Richardson underscored that the team would not be looking at any offers “until the very last game is played.”
Below is the full text of Richardson’s announcement:
There has been no greater mission or purpose in my life than to have brought an NFL franchise to Charlotte. The obstacles back then were significant, and some even questioned whether our community could or would support professional football. But I always knew that if given the chance, The Carolinas would rise to the occasion.”
The team has become an Integral part of our community. The stadium is in its best condition since the day it opened. And we have played in two Super Bowls.
Football is also an integral part of my life — and I am blessed, every day, that I made the Carolinas my home. I can never repay all of you for the kindness and generosity you have shown me, Rosalind, and my family for more than two decades. We have the best fans in football — and I truly mean that. In my opinion, we also have the best organization, and they have served us well.
I believe 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, both on and off the field, will be firmly focused on just one mission: to play and win the Super Bowl.
While I will no longer be the team owner, I will always be the Panthers Number One fan.
With respect. Always.
Jerry Richardson
