NFL Fines Panthers Owner David Tepper $300K After Viral Drink Throwing Incident
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The NFL has fined Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper $300,000, two days after a video went viral.
It shows him throwing his drink into the crowd during the team’s loss to Jacksonville on Sunday.
“Classless. I would say a little classless,” says Matthews resident Will Eckert.
Panthers fans like Eckert say what’s become a disappointing season, seems like it’s spiraling out of control, after the video went viral.
“Honestly, I was very surprised. But I mean, I don’t know what was said, so I don’t know if it was worth throwing anything. But still you should hold yourself to a higher regard when you have that much power,” Eckert says.
Tuesday night, the NFL announced it’s levying the fine against Tepper for what it calls “unacceptable conduct.”
In a statement the Panthers owner says: “I am deeply passionate about this team and regret my behavior on Sunday. I should have let NFL stadium security handle any issues that arose. I respect the NFL’s code of conduct and accept the League’s discipline for my behavior.”
“Two days is a very long time to wait for a response,” says Nicole Peternel, with Rein Communications.
Peternel has worked in public relations for the Minnesota Vikings.
“Immediately you should come out with a statement. Even if just to say we’re aware of what occurred and we’re looking into it,” she says.
She says moving forward, Tepper should make genuine efforts to rebuild his image.
“Whether it’s seeing someone for anger management or really trying to talk with the team and understand where the frustrations are,” Peternel says.
Some fans say they’re fed up though.
Joey Blethen started a Change.org petition demanding the league force David Tepper to sell the Panthers.
“It’s like you can live with the on the field mistakes, the the bad hires and stuff like that. But when you’re damaging the franchise, the fan base, the community with your actions like that, it just hits on a different level for me,” Blethen says.
While he knows Tepper selling is unrealistic, he hopes the petition gets the billionaire’s attention.
“Hopefully at a minimum this can create some type of wake up call for him. That what what he has been doing is not working. He’s part of the problem and he needs to take a step back,” Blethen says.
In a statement the NFL said, “The National Football League today fined Carolina Panthers’ chairman David Tepper $300,000 for his unacceptable conduct in Jacksonville during Sunday’s game. All NFL personnel are expected to conduct themselves at all times in ways that respect our fans and favorably reflect on their team and the NFL.”
