A practice facility in South Carolina?

[Mr. Scot]

Forget training camp. We talkin' 'bout practice.

Could the Panthers have a practice facility in South Carolina?

Quote

It took only three questions during David Tepper’s introductory press conference before the new Carolina Panthers owner fielded a one about whether he planned to keep the team in Charlotte.

And while Tepper said Charlotte was the “logical place” for the stadium, he also said he wants to have a presence in both Carolinas.

That could mean shifting part of the team’s operations across the state line.

 

Quote

Tepper could consider building a new practice complex that includes mixed-use development, according to an industry insider who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the discussions are preliminary. Tepper is said to be open to considering sites on either side of the state line.

The Panthers’ current practice facility — located behind Bank of America Stadium on the opposite side of a rail line — includes two grass fields and another with an artificial surface. The team does not have an indoor facility, and sometimes practices at the Charlotte Convention Center during heavy rains.

 

Quote

The Dallas Cowboys in 2016 opened a state-of-the-art practice complex in suburban Frisco that features a 12,000-seat indoor facility that also hosts local high school games.

That $1.5 billion development spans 91 acres and also includes retail and restaurant space, a 16-story hotel and a sports therapy facility.

The Cowboys’ complex – dubbed the Star – could be what Tepper was referring to when he made a reference to “development” Tuesday.

 

Quote

Charlotte businessman Felix Sabates said he has spoken with Tepper about the possible benefits of doing business in South Carolina.

“David Tepper loves Charlotte. But he also has to do what’s right for him,” Sabates said Wednesday. “He has never mentioned to me anything about South Carolina. But I have mentioned it to him because sometimes I get the feeling that our city council (members) are not too willing to help anybody except themselves.”

 

Quote

Sabates put together a local ownership group to buy the Panthers early in the sale process and met with South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster about his plans to build a new stadium near Carowinds in Fort Mill.

Sabates, a Charlotte Hornets minority owner and former NASCAR team owner, said the Carowinds site offered easy access to I-77 and ample land to build parking lots, a revenue stream that is limited at Bank of America Stadium.

 

Quote

Sabates said McMaster was receptive to having the Panthers in South Carolina, in contrast to North Carolina lawmakers, whom Sabates said did little for Panthers founder Jerry Richardson.

North Carolina did not help fund the Panthers’ renovations that began in 2013. But the state provided minimal assistance, including highway patrol for game-day traffic for several years in the mid-1990s.

Charlotte has lost a number of businesses over the years to tax-friendly South Carolina.

 

Quote

And while Tepper weighs putting a practice site in South Carolina, Sabates doesn’t get the impression the hedge fund manager is considering moving the stadium there.

“I don’t think he would do that. David loves Charlotte,” Sabates said. “He’s got huge plans for Charlotte.”

Hey, a lot of folks want him to build an indoor practice facility, right?

Like the slogan says "Two states, one team".

[Paintballr]

I don’t see how the Carowinds site has easy access to I-77 or 485. I’ve been in that area during rush hour and the traffic sucks ass

[Mr. Scot]

To be clear, while Sabates is interviewed in the story, he's not the source for the info about a possible practice facility being built in South Carolina. That source is unnamed.

[Mother Grabber]

living in CA, i interpreted the title meaning mexico. 

[Mr. Scot]

1 minute ago, Mother Grabber said:

living in CA, i interpreted the title meaning mexico. 

That was a little vague, wasn't it?

I changed it.

[Moo Daeng]

Maybe a mixed use practice, mls, soccer facility. HS football doesn't mean a fraction of what it does in Texas and won't bring in didly for money. But a more diverse complex might.

If they just want indoor practice facilities they can build them where they practice now.

[blackcat]

Fun fact, back in 94, the Panthers practiced at Winthrop. I remember my brother taking me.  

Truth be told, York County is killing it right now and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Panthers practice site down here.  A few of the minority owners (or former minority owners) own chunks of land in Fort Mill and I’m sure would love to sell it to Tepper.  On top of that, Rock Hill is aggressively pursuing any and all business/tourism opportunities.  

[Squirrel]

The players would love that. 

[Pimpdaddy]

...im all for cuttin SC out of the picture and making sht the Charlotte Panthers...no money for stadiums and such comes from SC but only from the good citizens of Meck Co...its Carolina not Carolinas.

[Mr. Scot]

2 minutes ago, Pimpdaddy said:

...im all for cuttin SC out of the picture and making sht the Charlotte Panthers...no money for stadiums and such comes from SC but only from the good citizens of Meck Co...its Carolina not Carolinas.

The owner of the team disagrees.

[Dilla]

I wish these journalists would stop using a recorder in Sabates' vicinity.

[KendrickPanther]

Sabates quotes.. more Sabates quotes....The guy is quoted in every damned article about a team he could never afford because he's the only person dumb enough to talk at length about things he has no knowledge/control over.

 

I thought Teppers comments alluded to one simple thing. Charlotte better play ball with incentives to keep the team in Charlotte or he will consider every option in the Carolinas. Both of them. 

I know players would be disappointed to have to commute to South Carolina. Most of them are walking distance to BofA

[countryboi]

If I was looking for a place in South Carolina for a practice facility. I would look in to the old knights stadium. The building is gone and was sold to Cato in 2015 but I don’t think they have done anything to it and don’t think they can afford too.

[Nails]

52 minutes ago, bull123 said:

sabates is a blowhard that is not an inner circle guy, but wants to be

he does make a single good point, in that CLT City Council is pathetic, and that SC is a better place to do business in

a mortgage company today announced leaving CLT and moving to Ft Mill and will create 1100 new jobs....maybe that militant protester councilman & that dimple idiot lady that all you voted for can speak to that

And the one that basically lead the charge to the bathroom bill disaster, the one that called police terrorists, etc.