Tag: David Tepper

What NFL owners appear on Forbes’ list of America’s richest sports team owners?

David Tepper leads the way but what other NFL team owners joined the Panthers’ owner on Forbes’ list?

Steve Ballmer of the Los Angeles Clippers tops Forbes’ list of America’s richest sports team owners. However, there is plenty of presence from people who own NFL teams.

39 (overall). Dan Snyder: Washington

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

$2.6 billion

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Watch: Stephen A. Smith says Panthers ‘screwed over’ Cam Newton

Stephen A. Smith for one thinks the team screwed him over.

The NFL can be a cruel business. Fans of the Panthers can certainly attest to that this offseason, which began with Luke Kuechly’s sudden and shocking retirement, followed by an emotional exit for Greg Olsen and then the coup de grace yesterday when Cam Newton was released.

Some folks aren’t happy about the way this was handled, especially the timing of the release. Stephen A. Smith for one thinks the team screwed him over. Watch what he had to say on ESPN.

We tend to disagree with Stephen more often than not, but in this case he has a point.

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Panthers retooling, not rebuilding: What it means for 2020

According to Charles Robinson at Yahoo Sports, Carolina general manager Marty Hurney will aim towards a “mixed reboot” rather than a total rebuild.

Good news, Carolina Panthers fans! Your team won’t stink this year. . . . Well, at least they won’t deliberately try to stink as part of a total rebuild.

According to Charles Robinson at Yahoo Sports, Carolina general manager Marty Hurney will aim towards a “mixed reboot” rather than a total rebuild. That “everyone is on the table” sentiment, which was their reported approach heading into the scouting combine two weeks ago, is gone. So, what does a reboot look like as opposed to a good old-fashioned blow-the-whole-thing-up scenario?

For one, your Cam Newton and Christian McCaffrey jerseys won’t be outdated for the upcoming season (assuming that still happens). The roster’s key pieces who aren’t about to become free agents will likely all remain in place. That should include defensive tackle Kawann Short, wide receivers Curtis Samuel and D.J. Moore, safety Eric Reid and linebacker Shaq Thompson, who is just three months moved from inking a four-year, $54.2 million extension.

The try-to-compete-in-2020 mode also jives with their recent acquisition of left tackle Russell Okung. One season of Okung, who is on an expiring contract, is arguably more valuable than one year of right guard Trai Turner given the importance of blindside protection as well as Turner’s recent regression.

Additionally, Carolina’s crop of young up-and-comers isn’t far from hitting their stride. Outside linebacker Brian Burns, cornerback Donte Jackson, tight end Ian Thomas and right tackle Taylor Moton – to name a few – have all flashed signs of promise and are primed to begin contributing more. Those players should all be returning in 2020.

Now that they’ve decided not to blow it all up, the front office’s main challenge is reconstructing a much-depleted defense, one that was already embarrassing this past year.

As of right now, they’ll only have approximately $30 million in cap space and a few high-end draft picks, headlined by No. 7 overall selection, to either bring back or help replace the likes of cornerback James Bradberry, defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, pass rushers Mario Addison and Bruce Irvin and of course retired linebacker Luke Kuechly. It will probably take more than just one year to accomplish.

In the meantime, this sheds more light on two other key pieces inside the organization.

First, the team will very likely allow Cam Newton to play out the final year of his contract. This lets them reevaluate their commitment to the soon-to-be 31-year-old quarterback. If Newton heals up and returns to his former MVP form, then they’ll already have their franchise QB and won’t have to go through a potentially long and painful process of finding another. All they’d have to do is extend him.

Secondly, this reveals not every part of the Panthers’ brass is on the same page. Hurney, whose deal only runs through 2020, is on a mission to compete now and extend his shelf life in Charlotte. New head coach Matt Rhule, though, has been given a lucrative seven-year blessing from owner David Tepper to build up a winning organization “the right way.”

The mixed signals continue.

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Panthers owner David Tepper promises to build a winner: ‘It will happen’

Panthers owner David Tepper promises to build a winning program in letter to PSL owners: ‘It will happen.’

Carolina Panthers fans are understandably anxious about the direction of their franchise right now. The team looks to be on the cusp of a rebuilding period with a new coaching staff coming in and a number of key players who are about to become free agents next month.

Team owner David Tepper is preaching patience. In a letter to PSL owners, Tepper advised them to keep the faith and remember that coach Matt Rhule has built winning programs from the ground up at his last two stops. Here is the complete text of the letter, via WCNC.

Dear PSL Owner,

Thank you for being a loyal PSL Owner. We can’t do this without you. You are the backbone and create our home-field advantage. Last season, you stuck with us, supporting us all the way through the final game.

Understand this.

I am laser-focused on building a championship organization on and off the field.

It takes time to build things up the right way, and sometimes you have to do a little tearing down before moving forward. The changes we made in early January are the first steps and I could not be more excited about our future.

Matt Rhule and his staff are working hard preparing for the 2020 season. He is a master developer and builder who was shown what he can do. Look at his history. He constructed winning programs at Temple and Baylor and he will build an elite program here.

We promise that we will work tirelessly each day to bring you a championship because that’s what this region deserves, that’s what the players in the locker room deserve, and that’s what our fans deserve. It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen — and I look forward to you joining us on this ride.

Sincerely,

David Tepper

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David Tepper’s comments on Cam Newton aren’t helping anybody

What message does this send to current or potential Panthers?

When it comes to breaking out the dance moves, Panthers owner David Tepper is more willing than he is skilled. But to his credit, the slightly uncoordinated yet spry 62-year-old has nailed almost every step since acquiring the franchise.

Almost.

On Tuesday, shortly after surprising 60 Charlotte-Mecklenburg teachers at Bank of America Stadium with a gift of $120,000 for classroom supplies, Tepper was asked about the future of franchise quarterback Cam Newton. And if you haven’t seen or heard his answer yet, well, it wasn’t ideal.

Newton, who will turn 31 in May, is set to enter the upcoming 2020 campaign on the final season of his five-year, $103.8 million contract. Unfortunately, he has spent years three and four of that pact nursing nagging injuries to his throwing shoulder and left foot.

Specifically, Newton has now dealt with a partially torn rotator cuff and a Lisfranc fracture, forcing him to miss a total of 16 games since 2018. Both injuries have sent the former NFL MVP to the operating table twice in 2019, once in January and then again in December.

As Newton continues to rehab his foot from the latter of the two procedures, questions surrounding his health continue. Plus, given the nature of these setbacks to a quarterback who has so often relied upon his big arm and mobility over his nine-year career, those questions are also quite fair.

Tepper’s answer was not— not for a man who’s given this team, city and its fans his heart and body (literally) for almost a decade.

Tepper’s replies to the first two inquires on Cam were fine. He was reasonably straightforward, stating the decisions at QB will stem from how well Newton recovers. He then—certainly keeping in mind the repercussions of tampering violations—quipped to a reporter who asked if other teams had called about a possible trade for Newton, saying his wife “is the one” who answers the phone in the house.

It was Tepper’s final remarks, though, that made the situation with Newton that wuch more murky. He seemed dismissive, even annoyed at the implication of providing some insight. All we got was ambiguity.

Here’s a video with his full comments.

That’s a stark contrast from Newton, who—on his prospects of being under center for Carolina in 2020—was glowing, having assured media members his conversations with new head coach Matt Rhule, general manager Marty Hurney and Tepper left him inspired and ready for a return. 

Tepper sounds less confident.

“And I said it a million times, ‘Is he healthy?’ And he’s not a doctor. . . So, there’s a lot of different things can happen. But first is, is he healthy? Tell me that and then we can talk.”

As much money as Tepper has already put into this franchise, it’s doubtful he’s had any escape hatches installed throughout the stadium. If he did, we would’ve known in that very moment. Instead, long-time Panthers communications ace Steven Drummond was there to halt any further probing.

Now, we know Tepper built much of his fortune in the hedge fund world, a shark tank where you need a balance of wisdom and cutthroat decision-making. The NFL is a business, but not the same business and this is no way to talk about the guy who’s led your franchise to the most success its ever experienced.

Just ask former linebacker Thomas Davis, who was pretty candid with his thoughts about Tepper’s comments later in the week.

“If I’m that player listening to that, it sounds like a team that’s not totally committed to me,” Davis said while sitting on NFL Network’s NFL Total Access this past week. “I just know, from a fan standpoint, I know everybody in Carolina absolutely loves Cam Newton. They want him back. But it doesn’t seem like the team feels that way. If I’m Cam, I’m doing what’s best for me and my career right now.”

Davis, a teammate of Cam’s for eight seasons, then concluded by theorizing the best move for Newton is to find a new home.

Failing to support the greatest player in frnachise history, whether it’s sincere or not, is flippant and sets a damaging precedent. You’re dealing with men, actual humans—not investable assets.

What message does this send to current or potential Panthers?

Your general manager, head coach and offensive coordinator have gone mum. Why can’t they can’t commit even an ounce of assurance for a quarterback who’s won the only MVP in team history?

If you’re willing to play coy with that kind of athlete, good luck to everyone else.

It also sends a mixed message to potential trade suitors. How much will “But is he even healthy enough to do anything?” help net you in a deal? Certainly not as much as “Cam has proven to be one of the game’s most valuable quarterbacks when healthy. As long as he is, that’s our guy,” would.

Even the Detroit Lions seem to get that you don’t waffle on the future for your QB1.

To be fair, the situations are different. Detroit will have to pay an extra $10.7 million if they cut ties with Matthew Stafford, whereas the Panthers could free up $19.1 million if they do same with Newton. Additionally, Matt Patricia’s staff is under immediate pressure from ownership to become a winner in 2020 and won’t be granted the time to assess and retool like Rhule.

At least general manager Bob Quinn kept steady on his confidence in his guy, calling the trade rumors cooking around Stafford “100% False!!!” on Thursday. Coincidentally, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tepper’s previous NFL investment, did the same with their rehabbing star on the very same day, as their GM Kevin Colbert expressed optimism regarding Ben Roethlisberger’s recovery from elbow surgery.

Ultimately, Carolina will have to find a path for Newton, whether that means giving him the chance to prove he can still be the same Cam or sacrificing him for extra cap space and draft picks to rebuild.

Whichever way they decide to go, publicly casting doubt upon his health doesn’t help with either.

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Watch: Thomas Davis talks about Cam Newton and David Tepper’s disconnect

Cam Newton and the Panthers don’t appear to be on the same page.

Cam Newton and the Panthers don’t appear to be on the same page. Shortly before Super Bowl LIV, Newton told the media he was absolutely sure he would return to Carolina. Problem is, the guy cutting the checks doesn’t seem so sure. Team owner David Tepper made waves on Tuesday when he was asked about Newton’s status and replied that it depends on his health.

Watch former Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis give his take on the situation on NFL Network.

Davis has it right and players should always do what’s best for their careers and try to maximize their value.

Fans who are anxious about Newton’s future should remember one simple, clarifying fact: when Cam is healthy he’s one of the top 10 quarterbacks in this league and he proved that as recently as the first half of 2018. His throwing shoulder has now had plenty of time to completely heal and the Lisfranc shouldn’t be an issue this year.

They might not be willing to say it publicly, but the Panthers know how valuable Cam Newton is when he’s truly Cam Newton.

For his part, all along Newton has maintained that he wants to stay in Charlotte and continue his career with the Panthers. During the same radio row spots, Newton said the thought of leaving never even entered his mind.

The only real question here is if Tepper, Marty Hurney and Matt Rhule believe they’ll get more value moving on from Newton and embracing the total rebuild that seems to be underway.

If they’re going to pull that off, they’d have to have a new franchise QB in mind. At the moment, they’re slated to pick at No. 7 in the draft. That should put the top two players at the position (Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa) just out of reach. Few prospects are guaranteed to suceed at the next level. Burrow and Tua definitely seem capable of becoming franchise QBs in the NFL. The same can’t be said for anyone else in this class and Carolina doesn’t have the assets to move up into the top three in any case.

The x-factor might be how they feel about Justin Herbert, who has tantalizing upside but is also very raw. He could be in play at No. 7. Gambling on Herbert or another potential project QB seems like a bad idea when there’s a former league MVP already on the roster, though.

Moving on from Cam only makes sense if they can get a definitively positive return. At this point, trading him would probably only net a third-round pick. If they believe they can get more, it’s worth considering given Newton’s age and the number of roster holes they have to fill.

However, it’s not difficult to imagine Bill Belichick trading a third for Cam and them winning the next three Super Bowls together. That would be a terrible look for the Panthers. Cutting Cam would save a fair chunk of cap space. It would also throw a huge question mark over the most important position and there’s already too many of those going around.

There’s something to be said for starting fresh and embracing the rebuild, but this really doesn’t seem that complicated. If Newton looks anything remotely like his old self the next time he practices, it makes more sense to keep him and continue the reboot with Newton as the centerpiece.

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If the Panthers do trade Cam Newton, these 5 NFL teams should be interested

Panthers owner David Tepper doesn’t sound so sure that Newton will be in a Panthers uniform in 2020.

Cam Newton and Panthers owner David Tepper do not appear to be on the same page. During Super Bowl week, Newton told CBS Sports that he’d “absolutely” be back in Carolina in 2020.

The owner of the team isn’t so sure about that.

“Listen, I’m not a doctor,” Tepper said, via ESPN.com. “I said it a million times, is he healthy? He’s not a doctor, so there’s a lot of different things can happen.”

But, first, is he healthy? Tell me that and then we can talk.”

It’s a valid question to ask. Newton’s last two seasons have been cut short due to injury. In 2018, it was a long-standing shoulder injury that put him out. Last season, it was a left foot injury. The team could save $19.1 million by trading or cutting Newton, and it’s unlikely that the quarterback will want to play this upcoming season with no guarantees for the future. So it looks Carolina really only has two options: Part ways with the best QB in the franchise’s history or go all-in on him with a contract extension.

Tom Brady is undoubtedly the biggest domino this offseason. His decision will shape the rest of the free agency market for quarterbacks, which is uncharacteristically robust. But Newton might be second on that list. While his injury history may turn off some teams, these last two ailments are hardly relatedly, and, based on the limited film we got from Cam, he seems to be over the shoulder issue. He can still put some zip on the football…

The foot is a big concern, as mobility is one of his selling points, but the Lisfranc surgery he had in December carried only a six- to eight-week recovery period, according to famed surgeon Dr. James Andrews. Based on that timeline, Newton should be ready to go for offseason workouts.

Considering all that, there had to have been some motivation for Tepper to make those comments. And I don’t know if a scenario in which Newton is being shopped would be helped by what he had to say, which was basically, We only want him here if he’s healthy. So if the Panthers do end up shopping him, that sends a message to the rest of the NFL that Cam is not fully healthy, which would drive down his trade value.

If anything, Tepper’s comments could be a sign that Newton will stick with the Panthers for the foreseeable future. That soundbite could very well be a negotiating ploy from a man who made a fortune in business. We’ve seen other owners — most notably Jerry Jones — take similar approaches to contract negotiations. If Newton wants to be in Carolina and doesn’t think he has any leverage, his asking price could come down.

But let’s just say Newton is shopped around or released… what landing spots would make the most sense? Here are five NFL teams that should be interested in the veteran quarterback:

1. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts have everything Newton would want in a new team: A great offensive line, a smart coaching staff and a whole lot of cap space to throw around. The fit also makes perfect sense for Indianapolis, which is a franchise quarterback away from ascending into the upper echelon of the league. Newton may not end up fitting that bill, but the Colts have enough money to take that chance without being set back financially.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

If the Bucs do move on from Jameis Winston, Newton wouldn’t be a bad replacement considering his fit in Bruce Arians’ downfield passing scheme. Philip Rivers has been linked to Tampa, but his arm has been dead for basically two years now. Newton can still push the ball downfield, at the very least. And as competitive as Newton is, it might be hard for him to turn down an opportunity to stick it to his old team twice a season.

3. New England Patriots

Hey, the Pats have to have some backup plan in place in case Brady actually leaves. Newton, who has given Bill Belichick all sorts of problems during his career, would not be a bad Plan B. Belichick has referred to Newton as the best mobile quarterback in the NFL, and Belichick knows what kind of stress those guys put on a defense. Three of New England’s four losses this season were to Lamar Jackson, Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes. I should also point out that Newton is undefeated against the Patriots in his career. After years of working with a stationary pocket passer, Belichick may opt for an If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em approach.

4. Chicago Bears

The Bears would be a lot higher on this list if they hadn’t already backed Mitch Trubisky as their starter. There’s also the salary cap issue. Chicago isn’t flushed with cap space and can’t get out of the Trubisky deal for another year, so if it wants another passer, the draft may be the only available avenue. But this is the NFL, and teams figure out ways to circumvent their cap issues all the time. If the Bears really want Newton, they can make it work … somehow.

5. Los Angeles Chargers

After officially moving on from Philip Rivers, the Chargers once again find themselves in the quarterback wilderness. Any team in need of a quarterback would be wise to give Newton a look, but I’m not sure if it would make sense to move on from Rivers only to take a flyer on another veteran who is coming off two injury-riddled seasons. Los Angeles will, in all likelihood, be turning to the draft to find their next signal-caller. But if the Chargers think they’re a quarterback away from competing in the AFC West in 2020 — or they just aren’t fond of this year’s class of quarterbacks — they’ll have to consider Newton as an option.

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David Tepper on Cam Newton: ‘Is he healthy? Tell me that and we’ll talk.’

Panthers owner David Tepper questions Cam Newton’s health

The continuing saga of “Will he or won’t he?” in regards to Cam Newton’s status with the Panthers in 2020 wrote another chapter Tuesday when team owner David Tepper spoke with the media about Newton’s health and future in Carolina.

“It’s a question of how healthy his foot is and otherwise. That’s still the number one overwhemling thing, to see how healthy he is and how we can figure out when he’s healthy or not and everything comes from that,” Tepper said to the media.

Tepper was also asked about teams inquiring about a trade for Newton and joked about his wife handling the calls. Obviously, Tepper cannot say anything on that front because that would be tampering with the league year not set to start for another month.

Here’s the full audio from Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic.

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Panthers’ owner, head coach make special visit to restaurant where owner was killed

Panthers owner David Tepper and head coach Matt Rhule paid a special visit to a legendary Charlotte restaurant.

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper and head coach Matt Rhule made a special visit to a legendary Charlotte restaurant Tuesday. The stop at Brooks’ Sandwich House had special meaning because the owner of the local legend had been senselessly murdered in December.

From Panthers.com

David Brooks’ twin brother Scott was murdered on an early December morning when he arrived at the eatery. Tragic. Senseless. A revered community member taken away in an instant.

After a period of grieving and recovering, David and his family re-opened the sandwich shop this past Saturday. As you can imagine, the grieving and recovering is still ongoing.

“I’m doing OK,” Brooks said. “Sometimes it’s a struggle from day to day because things have changed so much. Without the support of my wife and kids…they kept pushing me and kept pushing me. I knew we had to go on.”

David and Scott Brooks were running the three-generation, family-owned business that was started by their father, CT, in 1973. The small, counter-serve restaurant is known for its burgers, hot dogs and chili. For the past two months, the popular restaurant had become a place for people to grieve and remember. Now it is again a place to eat and celebrate.

Tepper and Rhule brought along a team helmet autographed by both the owner and head coach.

“I love going to local places and I love to eat,” Tepper said. “Places like that are landmark-type places. I’m happy to go there. I’ll be happy to go again. It was a lot of fun.”

The owner and coach went to the counter, and followed the restaurant’s tradition, ordering them “all the way.”

“Fantastic,” was Rhule’s review. Tepper added, “”There is only one way to go. and that’s all the way.”

*****

Police are still looking for the suspects, who authorities believe were attempting an armed robbery of Scott Brooks as he showed up to open the cash-only restaurant. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the Charlotte office of the FBI are offering a combined $21,000 reward for informing leading to an arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.