NFL owners approve sale of Panthers to billionaire David Tepper
NFL owners voted Tuesday to approve the sale of the Carolina Panthers to billionaire hedge fund manager David Tepper, according to Albert Breer of MMQB.com.
The reported $2.2-billion deal will be official in July, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Related: What the sale of the Panthers means for the NFL
The Panthers announced the sale of the franchise to the 60-year-old last week.
Roger Goodell said in Tepper's introductory press conference that he was unanimously approved by the other team owners.
Speculation regarding the Panthers' future in Carolina has surrounded the team ever since former owner Jerry Richardson announced he would sell the franchise in December. However, it appears Tepper believes the Panthers belong in Carolina.
"There's a logical place for this team. It's Charlotte," said Tepper, according to Mark Maske of The Washington Post.
Asked about any potential changes to the front office or coaching staff, Tepper joked that, "I have a great appreciation for how stupid I am," according to Rapoport.
Richardson was forced to sell following revelations about his workplace misconduct, and Tepper was quick to separate himself from the previous regime.
"I'm a person that believes in equality for everybody, men and women," he said, according to Maske.