Jerry Richardson, Panthers founder dies at 86

Panthers founder Jerome “Jerry” Richardson died Wednesday night at his home. He was 86.

No cause was given for Richardson’s death in the franchise’s announcement.

Richardson, a Spring Hope, N.C., native, owned the Panthers from 1995 to 2018. He began discussions to bring the Panthers to Carolina in 1987 and received help in his NFL bid from former Bank of America CEO Hugh McColl as well as sports marketing executive Max Muhleman. They helped establish the league’s 29th team in October ’93, though the Panthers’ first NFL season wasn’t until ’95.