Tag: Bank of America Stadium

Bank of America Stadium installs natural grass for Gold Cup matches

Once again, it’s the fútbol players—not the football players—who will be playing on natural grass at Bank of America Stadium.

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The grass vs. turf saga continues over at 800 South Mint Street.

As noted by Carroll R. Walton of The Charlotte Ledger on Tuesday, natural grass has been installed at Bank of America Stadium for this weekend’s Concacaf Gold Cup matches. The home of the Carolina Panthers will play host to two matchups on Sunday—one between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago and the other between Honduras and Haiti.

Given that Tepper Sports and Entertainment uses a turf playing surface for its Panthers game, which is widely unfavorable amongst NFL players due to safety concerns, this move to grass has begun to draw the ire of fans. And it’s not the first time they’ve laid out the good stuff for a premier soccer event, as last summer’s friendly between Charlotte FC and visiting Chelsea F.C. also got the green carpet treatment.

Back in April, the NFL Players Association ripped the organization for its use of turf—specifically citing the frigid conditions of Carolina’s Week 16 meeting with the Detroit Lions. President J.C. Tretter wrote the following about the ‘unacceptable’ surface:

We currently have a single test for all field surfaces called the “Clegg” test, which simply measures a field’s hardness. While we are working diligently and collaboratively with the NFL’s engineering experts to devise more advanced ways to measure field performance and safety, this test is all that we currently have. However, even this simple measure was too much for the NFL to adhere to when push came to shove in Carolina.

Last year on Christmas Eve, Carolina’s field failed the Clegg test. For a surface to pass this test, it must measure below 100g (units of gravities), and the meter for this test goes up to a maximum of 150g. When the field in Carolina was tested during the pregame check, it came back as — you guessed it — 150g.

Players reached out and told us the field was way too hard, describing it as concrete. Players reported that they couldn’t even wear cleats because they wouldn’t sink into the turf. When we reached out to the league, they told us they were aware of these concerns and were working to remedy them.

However, instead of delaying the game or finding another way to fix the issue, the league gave the green light to kick off the game as scheduled. Afterward, the league told us that late in the first half, the field finally did fall below the 100g max. But the fact remains that the players in that game had to play on a field that the league acknowledges was not safe. That is beyond frustrating to players and unacceptable in the eyes of our union.

But, if you want to see some acceptable conditions, Sunday’s Gold Cup contests kick off at 7:00 p.m. ET.

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NFL visits Charlotte, hears out city’s pitch to host future draft

As first reported by WSOC’s Joe Bruno, NFL leaders have visited Charlotte to hear out the Queen City’s pitch to host a future draft.

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Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper is the man who brought live music to Charlotte. So can he help bring the city a future NFL draft as well?

Well, as reported by Joe Bruno of WSOC on Monday morning, league executives have already visited the Queen City to gauge the possibility. The meeting, which took place on May 4 at Bank of America Stadium, featured Panthers team president Kristi Coleman and the Charlotte Sports Foundation.

Charlotte’s interest in hosting a draft was first noted by Joe Person of The Athletic on April 27, just hours before they selected quarterback Bryce Young atop of this year’s event. With Detroit set to host in 2024 and Green Bay as the perceived favorites for 2025, it’s possible that Charlotte could be in contention for 2026.

Bruno was provided the following statement from a city spokesperson after what was heralded as an impressive visit:

The city has been engaged in conversations with our partners about Charlotte hosting the NFL Draft. Through our participation in the Charlotte Sports Foundation the city has a great track record of working with our community to lead similar efforts to attract marquee events to our city which have increased the profile of Charlotte and created economic opportunities for the people and business of Charlotte. In these pursuits we have leaned into our partnerships and supported events including financial support and with implementation, including event support, marketing and logistics. These events are important to our city, and we intend to continue to attract as well as execute world-class events. We look forward to continuing that work regarding the NFL Draft.

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Lions rip conditions of Panthers’ home turf after Week 16 matchup

As reported by Kyle Meinke of MLive.com, a number of Lions players were taken aback by the “cement-like” playing surface of the Panthers’ home turf on Saturday.

We’ve already heard of “Defend the Bank.” But would this be a case of “Offend the Bank?”

Following the Carolina Panthers’ 37-23 win over the Detroit Lions on Christmas Eve, some of the visiting players had some naughty things to say about the Bank of America Stadium turf. Here are just some of the comments, courtesy of MLive.com Lions beat reporter Kyle Meinke . . .

Quarterback Jared Goff:

“I thought the field conditions were below NFL-level standard, specifically pregame. I know it warmed up a bit as the game went on, but I don’t know what the deal is here. They need to make the turf not feel like cement. I don’t know why that is. You said it was the coldest game (here), so maybe it has something to do with that. It got better as the game went on, but pregame it was in no condition to be played on. Happy guys came out of this one relatively injury free.”

Center Frank Ragnow:

“Yeah, that field was tough. I don’t want to make excuses, but it was pretty hard, man. It’s tough to brace with the toe and everything. It was tough.”

Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson:

“That was the most concrete field I’ve ever been on in my whole life. I didn’t think that was actually legal to play on. Warming up, you’re trying to turn the corner, and literally in warmups, I fell in my first one-on-one rep right on my face.”

This definitely isn’t the first batch of unfavorable reviews for Carolina’s field conditions. Earlier in the season, Panthers wide receiver DJ Moore said team leaders spoke with owner David Tepper about the potentially dangerous turf.

Quarterback PJ Walker didn’t exactly endorse back in November either.

“I don’t mind it,” Walker said. “But I think it’s tough on the body. It’s tough on the body. Especially for like those big guys. Receivers as well—planting, coming out of breaks. It’s tough. So do I think the league should go to more grass fields? Absolutely.”

Hopefully, as the league-wide issues and objections with turf fields persist, something is done before any more needless injuries occur.

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Panthers give Bank of America Stadium a new look for Week 1

You might notice a little something different about the turf at Bank of America Stadium today.

There’s a bit of a different feel around the Carolina Panthers to start the 2022 regular season.

Could it be their revamped coaching staff? Their new starting quarterback? Their sharp sense of urgency?

Whatever it is, their home turf has followed suit.

As posted by the venue’s official Twitter account this morning, the field at Bank of America Stadium isn’t boasting its usual color scheme of Carolina blue and black. Instead, it’s simply a slick black and white.

Perhaps the Panthers are really embracing their dark side. Remember, those sick blacked out uniforms are coming soon to a Bank of America Stadium near you—in exactly two months’ time, in fact.

Or maybe they’re just playing to the tone of this highly-anticipated season opener—with Baker Mayfield out for “revenge” on his former team.

Well, it’s actually something far less sinister. FOX Charlotte’s Will Kunkel has the reason:

Oh, darn.

Regardless, we hope you’re ready for some Panthers football—even if the aerosol cans aren’t.

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Tepper Sports to install grass field for Charlotte FC vs. Chelsea F.C. match

After using artificial turf for the Panthers, Tepper Sports & Entertainment has agreed to install a grass field for Charlotte FC’s upcoming match against Chelsea F.C.

Apparently, the Carolina Panthers aren’t good enough for grass. But Chelsea F.C. sure as hell is.

In a piece on Wednesday from the Charlotte Business Journal, managing editor Erik Spanberg reports that Tepper Sports & Entertainment has agreed to provide a grass field at Bank of America Stadium for the July 20 exhibition match between Charlotte FC and the Premier League giant. The venue, as of the start of the 2021 NFL season, has been operating with an artificial turf surface.

The switch from grass to turf was fueled by Tepper’s desire to hold a wider range of events at Bank of America Stadium. The turf, of course, is a more cost-efficient method of clearing the way for, say, a Rolling Stones or a Kenny Chesney concert.

(And, hey, if you’re interested—Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, Poison, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Garth Brooks, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Elton John will all be there over the next four months.)

But, the turf also has a downside, at least to those actually playing football on it. The artificial surface has proven to play host to a significantly greater percentage of non-contact injuries—with data collected from 2012 to 2018 showing a 32-percent higher rate of knee injuries and a 69-percent higher rate of foot and ankle injuries as compared to natural grass.

To Chelsea F.C.’s credit, they’re very much aware of this—hence their contingency of installing grass at the stadium. Can’t be getting these valuable athletes hurt, right . . . ?

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Panthers QB Cam Newton: ‘We need to reclaim Bank of America Stadium’

If you’ve never been to Bank of America Stadium for a Panthers game, Cam Newton is giving you your chance!

The Carolina Panthers’ home of Bank of America Stadium is not in the same state Cam Newton left it in. So, he’s trying to change that.

To kick off his Thursday afternoon presser, the 11th-year quarterback laid out his mission to bring back the pride, energy and love the friendly confines in Carolina once had. As part of his initiative to return that spark to the team’s fanbase, Newton will give out 50 free tickets to this weekend’s game against the Washington Football Team.

“I’m gonna give away 50 tickets to the people who has rarely been to a game or has never been to a game,” Newton said. “This Sunday is important for us. We need to reclaim Bank of America Stadium. I know the success hasn’t been there. But we ain’t talkin’ about the past, we talkin’ about the things here moving forward.”

Bank of America Stadium, unfortunately, has been the site of a few too many takeovers from opposing fans this season. Take for instance, their contest against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5:

And their contest against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 6:

And, most recently, their contest against the New England Patriots in Week 9:

The Panthers haven’t given their faithful much to be faithful about either, as they’ve gone 6-15 at home since 2019. Both of those trends must change for Carolina, and Newton is hellbent on making it happen.

“So I know one thing for a fact—there will be 50 people who I know, for sure, that will be screaming to the top of their lungs because they’ve never done it,” Newton added. “And I will hope their experience will be something that will be life-changing, groundbreaking and, obviously, something that will give us the added push to win a football game on Sunday.”

10 of the 50 tickets will be given out by Newton’s production company, Iconic Saga Productions. The other 40 will be distributed through various programs in city of Charlotte, also according to Cam.

We back . . . ?

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NFL Week 2: How to watch and stream Saints vs. Panthers

NFL Week 2: How to watch and stream Saints vs. Panthers, via @KadeKistner:

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The New Orleans Saints will try and keep their momentum moving from their 38-3 win over the Green Bay Packers as they travel to North Carolina to take on the Panthers. The Panthers played well against the New York Jets, but the Saints should still come out swinging despite a COVID-19 outbreak amongst the coaching staff and numerous injuries.

It is the first NFC South matchup for New Orleans and it comes early in Week 2 of the NFL season. Here is how you can watch, stream, and listen to the game:

Game information:

  • What: New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers
  • When: Sunday, Sept. 19 at 12:00 pm CT
  • Where: Bank of America Stadium
  • Weather: Partly cloudy, high of 86 F

Broadcast:

You can also follow the game with us @TheSaintsWire and of course here on Saints Wire with our live updates during the game, along with highlights of all the key moments from this week’s matchup. Join us straight after the final whistle for more in-depth coverage, injury updates, and analysis of all the action.

Broadcast Map, via 506sports:

According to 506 Sports, all the area shown in orange in the map above will broadcast the Saints and Panthers game. All of Louisiana, as well as the majority of Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, and parts of southeast Texas will receive the game. Additionally, the majority of the Carolinas will also have access to the broadcast on their local FOX channel.

The majority of Louisiana will also receive the Las Vegas Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers matchup in the early slot on CBS. Likewise, they can also catch the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers game in the late slot on CBS this week.

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Bart Boatwright’s Clemson-Georgia Photo Gallery 2

The environment at Bank of America Stadium Saturday night was college football at it’s best. The Clemson Insider was on location to catch all of the action. Check out some more great pictures from Bart Boatwright to see what the atmosphere was like …

The environment at Bank of America Stadium Saturday night was college football at it’s best.  The Clemson Insider was on location to catch all of the action.

Check out some more great pictures from Bart Boatwright to see what the atmosphere was like at Bank of America Stadium for the border war.

Photo Gallery

Bart Boatwright’s Photo Gallery: Clemson arrives for the Duke’s Mayo Classic

CHARLOTTE – Third-ranked Clemson has arrived to Bank of America Stadium for tonight’s clash with No. 5 Georgia in the Duke’s Mayo Classic. Check out Bart Boatwright’s Photo Gallery of the Tigers’ arrival: LINK. Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their …

CHARLOTTE — Third-ranked Clemson has arrived to Bank of America Stadium for tonight’s clash with No. 5 Georgia in the Duke’s Mayo Classic.

Check out Bart Boatwright’s Photo Gallery of the Tigers’ arrival: LINK.

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

Clemson arrives at Bank of America Stadium for showdown vs. Georgia

CHARLOTTE – Third-ranked Clemson has arrived to Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte for tonight’s game against No. 5 Georgia in the Duke’s Mayo Classic. Watch the Tigers’ arrival to the scene of tonight’s showdown: Clemson Variety & Frame is doing …

CHARLOTTE — Third-ranked Clemson has arrived to Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte for tonight’s game against No. 5 Georgia in the Duke’s Mayo Classic.

Watch the Tigers’ arrival to the scene of tonight’s showdown:

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks