NFL teams didn't sound happy that the Panthers got to investigate owner Jerry Richardson and one executive reportedly called it 'a total scam.'
- The NFL is taking over the investigation of the Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson.
- The team initially announced they were launching their own investigation after "allegations of workplace misconduct" were made against Richardson.
- The change came after several reports that other teams were upset with the Panthers' own investigation.
The NFL is now taking over the investigation of the Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson after allegations were made of "workplace misconduct," according to several reports.
The team did not give any details about the allegations. However, the Panthers initially raised eyebrows around the NFL world when they released a statement at the end of the workday on Friday that an investigation was being launched and that one of their own was leading the investigation.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the move to have the NFL take over the investigation was made at the suggestion of the team and the league agreed.
"The NFL is taking over the investigation into Panthers owner Jerry Richardson and potential workplace misconduct, sources says," Rapoport wrote on Twitter. "This was the team's suggestion, the league agrees."
This move came after multiple reports that other teams were either not happy or had concerns about the Panthers essentially investigating themselves. According to the team, the investigation was originally to be conducted by an outside law firm and overseen by former White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles, who is also a minority owner of the team.
One opposing general manager called the original investigation a flat-out "scam," according to NFL insider Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report.
"There are more than a few teams wondering why the Panthers are allowed to investigate themselves," Freeman wrote on Twitter. "One GM called it a 'total scam.'"
NFL insider Jason La Canfora also noted that other franchises and owners were "upset" with the Panthers' investigations.
Richardson is a former NFL player. He has been the controlling owner of the Panthers since the franchise was founded in 1993.