Carolina Panthers pay $16m for new practice facility site

A major land purchase has been made by the Carolina Panthers ahead of a move to a new training facility in the coming years.

The Carolina Panthers have secured land for a new practice facility in a bumper purchase.

The organization has paid more than $16 million for the plot, located in South Carolina, according to land records.

It is situated in the South Carolina region and consists of 240 acres. The location of the potential new training site is near Interstate 77 in Rock Hill.

The Panthers will still play their home games in Charlotte. But they have huge plans for their new multi-million-dollar purchase going forward.

Reports suggest the franchise is looking to create an entertainment complex complete with hotels and restaurants and wants building work completed by 2022.

The site is not currently in Rock Hill, but the city plans to annex it soon. Local officials want to build hotels, restaurants and other businesses around the practice facility to create an entertainment complex.

The move comes after South Carolina made an offer of around $115 million for the franchise to switch locations from their current base in the north. This will also make the Panthers exempt from paying state income taxes employees for a period of 15 years to finance their move to the Rock Hill facility.

Panthers COO Mark Hart spoke about the potential move at a conference last year:

"“We wanted to make sure that it not only just serves our development but it serves the City of Rock Hill and York County and really connects all parts of the community to this great, transformational project.”"

This is an ambitious move from the front office decision-makers, who are looking to turnaround the team’s fortunes on and off the field in the coming years.

They have made some bold free agency moves under new head coach Matt Rhule, who the Panthers paid a king’s ransom to get the highly touted play-caller from his position at Baylor University.

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater arrived from the New Orleans Saints on a two-year deal worth $33 million guaranteed. The franchise also acquired experienced wide receiver Robby Anderson from the New York Jets.

There have also been some notable departures from the lock room in the form of legendary linebacker Luke Kuechly and quarterback Cam Newton.