Quick Facts: Carolina Panthers
| Current Owner | David Tepper |
| Ownership Type | Private |
| Owner Since | 2018 |
| Purchase Price | $2.275 billion (NFL record at the time) |
| Bought From | Jerry Richardson (forced sale) |
| Owner’s Day Job | Founder, Appaloosa Management (hedge fund) |
| Also Owns | Charlotte FC (MLS) |
Who Owns the Carolina Panthers?
David Tepper has owned the Carolina Panthers since 2018, buying the team for $2.275 billion in what was, at the time, an NFL record sale price.
Tepper built his fortune as founder of Appaloosa Management, a hedge fund known for distressed-debt investing, giving him a finance background distinct from many NFL owners who come from real estate or family business wealth.
He bought the team from founding owner Jerry Richardson, who was forced to sell after an NFL investigation into workplace misconduct allegations found credible evidence against him, leading to a substantial fine and the franchise sale.
Tepper expanded his Carolina sports footprint in 2019 by launching Charlotte FC, an MLS expansion franchise, giving him ownership across two major leagues in the same market.
Carolina Panthers Ownership History
| Year | Event | Owner / Key Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Franchise founded | Jerry Richardson | NFL expansion team |
| 2017 | NFL investigates workplace misconduct allegations | Jerry Richardson (under investigation) | Richardson announces intent to sell |
| 2018–Present | Sold for $2.275 billion | David Tepper | NFL record sale price at the time |
| 2019 | Launches Charlotte FC (MLS) | David Tepper | Expands into a second major league |
About David Tepper
Tepper built Appaloosa Management into one of the most successful hedge funds in the industry, known particularly for aggressive, high-conviction distressed-debt and equity bets that made him one of the wealthiest people in finance before he ever bought an NFL team.
Since taking over the Panthers, he’s invested heavily in Charlotte’s sports infrastructure, including plans around the team’s practice facility and stadium, while also drawing scrutiny at times for public frustration expressed toward the team’s on-field performance.
Key Ownership Highlights
- The sale followed a genuine forced-exit situation: Jerry Richardson sold after an NFL investigation into workplace misconduct allegations, not simply by personal choice.
- Tepper’s purchase price set an NFL record in 2018: $2.275 billion was the highest price ever paid for an NFL franchise at the time.
- Tepper owns teams across two major leagues in the same city: the NFL’s Panthers and MLS’s Charlotte FC, both based in the Carolina market.
- His wealth comes from hedge fund investing, not inherited or real estate money: Appaloosa Management’s distressed-debt strategy built the fortune behind both purchases.
- Richardson founded the franchise himself before losing it: a notable arc from founding owner to a forced sale nearly 25 years later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the Carolina Panthers?
David Tepper, who has owned the team since 2018.
How much did Tepper pay for the Panthers?
$2.275 billion, an NFL record at the time.
Why did Jerry Richardson sell the team?
He was forced to sell following an NFL investigation into workplace misconduct allegations.
Does David Tepper own other sports teams?
Yes, Charlotte FC, an MLS franchise he launched in 2019.
What is David Tepper’s business background?
He founded Appaloosa Management, a hedge fund known for distressed-debt investing.