Former Panthers Employee Calls Out Owner, NFL and More
CHARLOTTE, NC —Β A draft day bombshell, dropped on the Panthers organization and owner Jerry Richardson.
A former Panthers employee writing open letters to Richardson, the NFL and others in Sports Illustrated. And offering alleged proof of sexual harassment and assault at the hands of the owner.
“It’s scathing,” says Charlotte sports talk radio host Gerry Vaillancourt. “Bad story. It’s a nasty story. It’s got multi layers to it.”
A former Panthers employee says a non-disclosure agreement is voidΒ because team owner Jerry Richardson shared his side of the story with other NFL owners.
She’s blasting people she says enabled a culture of sexual harassment and racial discrimination in the organization.
She’s still afraid.
The article includes what the victim says are handwritten notes from Richardson. Gerry V read parts of those notes on air.
“If I could, I’d pamper you more. I’d rub your feet. I’d shave your legs. I’d put lotion on your body.”
“To the female fan that are out there, how many of you are outraged by this?” he asks.
Fans are torn between supporting their teamΒ and condemning a man many once adored.
“I’ll give credit to the man for all he’s done for the community, and all he’s done for people,” says Gerry. “That does not condone what happened in the workplace. It doesn’t!”
The Panthers released a statement today saying they’ve taken steps to “ensure a safe and comfortable work environment”,Β allocating “resources towards reforming our workplace”.
Richardson announced he would sell the team last December, after initial reports of alleged workplace misconduct. The NFL has supposedly been investigating those allegations, but no results have been announced.
Fans are speaking out on social media, calling for the team to take down the statue of the owner outside Bank of America Stadium. And wondering what will become of the name on the UNC Charlotte stadium, and several facilities at Wofford College.
“How could you keep the statue up, when employees come into work?” asks Vaillancourt. “Female employees especially.”
The NFL hopes to have a new owner in place in time for an approval vote at the owners meeting in May.
It will be interesting to see what steps new ownership will take to change the organization’s culture.
