David Tepper: The Next Big Cat? All Signs Now Point to Yes

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A surprise report Monday from a small TV station in upstate New York claims that a “source close to the situation” told a WBNG sports reporter that David Tepper has finalized a deal to buy the Carolina Panthers for a purchase price between $2.1 billion and $2.5 billion.

The report spurred plenty of reaction in Charlotte. Local newspaper staff disputed its accuracy. A city councilman tweeted his congratulations. And Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, at Monday’s city council meeting, said of a suspected Tepper deal: “I have not heard anything about the Panthers. I understand there was a tweet from New York, and so you guys need to go to New York, and travel up there and see what they’re talking about. But until we have an agreement, we will not have any additional information to provide. This is a serious business retention issue for us, and I’m treating it seriously.”

WCCB’s NFL sources have told us Tepper’s offer is $2.2 billion. Tepper, a hedge fund manager worth an estimated $11 billion, currently owns a 5% stake of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’d have to sell his stake in that team.

Charlotte businessman Felix Sabates, who expressed interest early on in the Panthers sale process, and has since dropped out, tells WCCB News @ Ten anchor Morgan Fogarty that he has stayed in contact with Tepper since meeting him in January. Sabates says Tepper has “fallen in love with Charlotte,” that he, “likes the growth here, he sees opportunities in town to grow the team.” Sabates says he is “sure (Tepper’s) gonna get involved in the community,” and that “(Tepper’s) not one of these guys who’ll hide in the owner’s box, ride around in a golf cart, take pictures and leave.” Sabates tells Fogarty, “David Tepper will be great for this community.”

The NFL owners meeting is in Atlanta, and starts this coming Monday. The league’s finance committee will give a recommendation to owners, who could vote at the meeting.