Panthers: A new practice facility is a must for the team
The Carolina Panthers would be wise to build a new practice facility and that may be coming soon….
Listen up Carolina Panthers fans. It appears a new practice facility is coming your way in the near future, meaning that the team’s current Wofford site will become obsolete in a few years.
More from Cat Crave
- Ranking the top-five QB prospects the Panthers could draft in 2023
- 4 remaining Carolina Panthers cap crunches after Damien Wilson release
- Could Duce Staley help Carolina Panthers land Jamaal Williams in 2023?
- How much could the Carolina Panthers afford to offer Lamar Jackson?
- 4 Panthers rumors to emerge from 2023 NFL Scouting Combine
On Friday, Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer did a question-and-answer session with readers. One of the questions was about a new practice facility.
This is something new owner David Tepper seems to want to do, and quite frankly, it is a very smart idea. Fowler was able to give a bit more insight into the idea of a new facility. Judging by his answer, it appears Tepper’s goal is to move the team out of Spartanburg. The question the reader posed was whether the team would stay at Wofford.
"For the short term, yes. Carolina had previously signed a contract through the summer of 2019 to hold training camp at former owner Jerry Richardson’s alma mater.For the long term, I would say the answer is almost certainly “no.”Tepper has no connection to Wofford and certainly isn’t going to stay there out of sentimentality. But he will have a major financial connection to wherever the Panthers place that opulent new practice facility. Fewer teams hold their training camps at small college campuses now. The Panthers appear destined to joining the ranks of keeping it all in-house by 2020 or shortly thereafter."
As a Carolina Panthers fan, I love this answer. Although some fans may be connected by the memories and sentimentality of Wofford, it is smart to want to build a new facility for a couple of reasons. First off, with Tepper putting some of his financial resources into this new practice facility, that will definitely be a bonus. With how excited he is to own the team, having something with his stamp of approval on it can only be a good thing.
Secondly, having an on-site practice facility is a tremendous asset. Being from the New England area, attending Patriots training camp every year is always a lot of fun. Being that it is right next door to Gillette Stadium, this makes it easy for the fans to get to as they do not have to look up a special address. Fans often go in front of the stadium between practices and take pictures as well as go into the gift shop etc. It is very convenient.
It would also be very easy for Tepper to check practice as he could walk down from his offices in Charlotte. A visible owner, especially when the fans are around, is always better than an owner who does not care at all. It may make the coaches and players uneasy in certain situations, but that is the nature of the business.
Next: With a crowded backfield, Alex Armah is in a tough situation
Putting together an in-house practice facility would be the smartest option. Ease of access and the fact that the Carolina Panthers would be close to home are just some of the reasons why it makes too much sense.