The Richardson Legacy

[Pejorative Miscreant]

Quotes are directly from entries in Wikipedia

"Shortly after it was decided that Charlotte would receive an expansion National Basketball Association franchise in 1997 Jerry Richardson met with a group of potential backers to discuss the possibility of bringing an NFL expansion team to the Carolina region. Richardson's announcement created a buzz in the region, as politicians, businessmen, and citizens all joined together to show the NFL that a team could be supported in the area. United States Senators Jesse Helms of North Carolina and Ernest Hollings of South Carolina put aside their partisan differences to lobby NFL owners to support the expansion. At the same time North Carolina Governor James G. Martin and South Carolina Governor Carroll A. Campbell, Jr. created a committee of citizens from North and South Carolina to help the cause.

Preseason games of existing teams at the time, were held througout the NC and SC region between 89 and 91(all of which sold out) in efforts to show fan support.

In 1992, the NFL released the list of five areas open to a potential NFL team: Baltimore, Maryland; St. Louis, Missouri; Memphis, Tennessee; Jacksonville, Florida; and the Carolinas, represented by Charlotte. After the vote was delayed because of a dispute between the players and the league, the race began again in 1993. In June of that year, Richardson Sports announced that they would finance the stadium through the sale of Permanent Seat Licenses, club seats, and luxury boxes. In a stunning show of fan support, all seats were sold out by the end of the first day"

Carolina may be a "small market team" but I think the Panthers were one of the first and most successful at revolutionizing this idea. I think this will be one of Richardsons greatest achievements regardless of the number of superbowls we win during his lifetime.

Not sure if this is the right forum but figured we needed a change up.

[CatMan72]

Also from Wikipedia:

Origin of Seat Licenses

There are varying accounts as to the origin of the personal seat license.

According to one account, the first personal seat license plan was developed in 1986 at Stanford University by legendary tennis coach Dick Gould. Seeking financing for a new tennis stadium, Gould came up with the idea of selling the rights to seats, a licensing plan under which purchaser's name is engraved in the seat, and the purchaser owns the right to have first choice for tickets for any event held in the stadium.

According to a second account, the permanent seat license was invented by a Columbus, Ohio architect, Rick Ohanian, in January 1987. Ohanian described his plan in a Letter to The Editor of the Columbus Dispatch, published on March 2, 1987, entitled "Ticketbond is Answer to Financing Proposed Facility".

According to a third account, the permanent seat license was invented by Charlotte sports marketing agent, Max Muhleman, in 1993. Muhleman is credited as the founder of the first PSL's at Charlotte's then Carolinas Stadium.

Others cite similar programs that were in existence among many college fund raising activities prior to 1987. However, the early programs were tax-deductible donations to a scholarship fund, in which case the main "quid-pro-quo" was between the donation and the resultant deduction, not between the donation and the actual seating rights.

So while the Richardson's may have not invented the concept of the PSL, they were the first NFL team to use it and it was a resounding success. Now teams like the Giants/Jets are using the PSL model to help fund the building of the new Meadowlands.

[flyingcat]

In a stunning show of fan support, all seats were sold out by the end of the first day"

I purchased my psl on the first day and my recollection is about 40000 of 60000 were sold that day.

[pnthrs]

psls were still for sale years after the first season. Not resold ones either. Originals.

[cookinwithgas]

One day I had to go and do some computer work at a dudes house in South Charlotte which was kind of odd for my company, turned out it was Max Muehlman (sp?) the marketing guy who came up with the PSL system here. Really a hell of a nice guy and even though I was a fan of the team then, I had no idea who he was until later.

[BlackCatFan]

Quotes are directly from entries in Wikipedia

"Shortly after it was decided that Charlotte would receive an expansion National Basketball Association franchise in 1997 Jerry Richardson met with a group of potential backers to discuss the possibility of bringing an NFL expansion team to the Carolina region. Richardson's announcement created a buzz in the region, as politicians, businessmen, and citizens all joined together to show the NFL that a team could be supported in the area. United States Senators Jesse Helms of North Carolina and Ernest Hollings of South Carolina put aside their partisan differences to lobby NFL owners to support the expansion. At the same time North Carolina Governor James G. Martin and South Carolina Governor Carroll A. Campbell, Jr. created a committee of citizens from North and South Carolina to help the cause.

Preseason games of existing teams at the time, were held througout the NC and SC region between 89 and 91(all of which sold out) in efforts to show fan support.

In 1992, the NFL released the list of five areas open to a potential NFL team: Baltimore, Maryland; St. Louis, Missouri; Memphis, Tennessee; Jacksonville, Florida; and the Carolinas, represented by Charlotte. After the vote was delayed because of a dispute between the players and the league, the race began again in 1993. In June of that year, Richardson Sports announced that they would finance the stadium through the sale of Permanent Seat Licenses, club seats, and luxury boxes. In a stunning show of fan support, all seats were sold out by the end of the first day"

Carolina may be a "small market team" but I think the Panthers were one of the first and most successful at revolutionizing this idea. I think this will be one of Richardsons greatest achievements regardless of the number of superbowls we win during his lifetime.

Not sure if this is the right forum but figured we needed a change up.

It is allways nice to reflect back on the past and all those fond memories.

[BlackCatFan]

One day I had to go and do some computer work at a dudes house in South Charlotte which was kind of odd for my company, turned out it was Max Muehlman (sp?) the marketing guy who came up with the PSL system here. Really a hell of a nice guy and even though I was a fan of the team then, I had no idea who he was until later.

As fans,i feel we all owe Max Muehlman a debt if gratitude.

[BlackCatFan]

In a stunning show of fan support, all seats were sold out by the end of the first day"

I purchased my psl on the first day and my recollection is about 40000 of 60000 were sold that day.

Buying PSL's the first year was the smart way to go.

[jbland]

That date needs to be changed to 1987.

"Shortly after it was decided that Charlotte would receive an expansion National Basketball Association franchise in 1997 Jerry Richardson met with a group of potential backers to discuss the possibility of bringing an NFL expansion team to the Carolina region."

[jbland]

That date needs to be changed to 1987.

"Shortly after it was decided that Charlotte would receive an expansion National Basketball Association franchise in 1997 Jerry Richardson met with a group of potential backers to discuss the possibility of bringing an NFL expansion team to the Carolina region."