Jerry Richardson To Sell Carolina Panthers Amid Misconduct Probe

CHARLOTTE, NC — Jerry Richardson says he will put the Carolina Panthers football team up for sale at the end of this season following a report that at least four former team workers reached confidential settlements with him over workplace misconduct.

Richardson said in a release that he believes it's time to turn the franchise over to a new owner but will not entertain offers until the "very last game is played."

"I hope everyone in this organization, both on and off the field, will be firmly focused on just one mission: to play and win the Super Bowl," Richardson said.

Sports Illustrated reported on Sunday that at least four former Panthers workers were paid large settlements over Richardson's inappropriate remarks and behavior. The accusations included "sexually suggestive language and behavior" and even a racial slur made to a black scout.

The sports magazine said Richardson would ask female workers on "Jeans Day" to turn around so he could make inappropriate comments about their backsides.

"Show me how you wiggle to get those jeans up," Richardson allegedly said. "I bet you had to lay down on your bed to fit into those jeans. Did you step into those jeans or did you have to jump into them?"

The Panthers on Friday had said former White House Chief of Staff and Panthers minority owner Erskine Bowles would oversee an investigation by a law firm based in Los Angeles into workplace misconduct.

The NFL awarded Richardson an expansion franchise in 1993. He has been the team's only owner. While that will no longer be true, Richardson said he'll forever be the Panthers' number one fan.

The Panthers alerted the NFL on Friday that it began investigating alleged workplace misconduct.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told The Associated Press the league had no comment at that time.

The team has reached two Super Bowls, most recently losing to the Denver Broncos 10-24 in February 2016.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo credit: Streeter Lecka / Getty Images