How gate revenue loss could impact Panthers’ off-field plans?

David Tepper can cope with the financial implications of no supporters in the stands for home games involving the Carolina Panthers in 2020.

The prospect of having fans in the stands for NFL teams in 2020 appears bleak. This is set to come at significant financial losses for each team and the Carolina Panthers will be no different.

Forbes recently predicted that the Carolina Panthers stood to lose $143 million from any decision to remove supporters from stadiums next season. This would represent a blow to owner David Tepper. But one that should not have too many ramifications on the big plans he has made for the organization going forward.

Tepper is believed to have a net worth of $12 billion. So a loss such as this would be merely a drop in the ocean. Gate revenue is nothing compared to the income NFL teams receiving from TV money during the season, which was $255 million each in 2019. This is another significant element to consider that would soften the blow.

The prospect of playing football without a stadium atmosphere seems surreal. But it could be the new reality in what is an unprecedented time for sport and society as a whole.

Owners across the league will want the NFL to start on time no matter what. Any potential losses from television rights are going to have a potentially catastrophic effect not only in 2020. But it could also have implications on things such as future salary caps.

This would be nothing short of a disaster for teams who are already up against it financially in terms of contract commitments. The Panthers got rid of most of their big earners this offseason. So, once again, they might feel the pinch less than most if any reduction in cap space came about.

How would this impact the long-term aspirations of David Tepper with the Carolina Panthers?

To say Tepper has some lofty ambitions off the field for the Carolina Panthers is something of an understatement. The organization already has a plan in place for a brand-new headquarters in Rock Hill, which will include a new practice facility and team offices.

There is also the prospect of the organization building a new stadium in the not-too-distant future. The land has been freed up, probably at Tepper’s request, in order to secure the necessary space to take the Panthers into a bold new era.

Given the reported wealth at his disposal, these potential proposals shouldn’t be impacted at all. There could be complications on the playing side of things. But Tepper seems hellbent on making the Panthers one of the more attractive venues in the NFL.

His drive and enthusiasm to achieve this will ensure the current climate is not going to deter him. While it would be disappointing not to have fans at Bank of America Stadium, health and safety come first at the present time and this is something Carolina and the entire league is going to accept.