-
In 1987, shortly after it was decided that Charlotte would receive an expansion National Basketball Association franchise (the Charlotte Hornets, now known as the New Orleans Hornets)
-
On December 15, 1987, Jerry Richardson announced his bid for an NFL expansion franchise in the Carolinas. Out of a possible four stadium locations (two in North Carolina and two in South Carolina), uptown Charlotte was chosen as the stadium for the potential NFL team.
-
To help promote the idea of football in the Carolinas, Richardson Sports held three preseason games in Raleigh, North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Clemson, South Carolina, respectively, from 1989-1991 and formally filed an application in 1991 for the open expansion bid
-
formally filed an application in 1991 for the open expansion bid
-
In 1992, the NFL released the list of five areas open to a potential NFL team: Baltimore, Maryland; St. Louis, Missouri; Memphis, Tennessee; Jacksonville, Florida; and the Carolinas, represented by Charlotte
-
In June of 1993, Richardson Sports announced that they would finance the stadium through the sale of Permanent Seat Licenses, club seats, and luxury boxes. In a stunning show of fan support, all seats were sold out by the end of the first day.
-
On October 26, 1993, the 28 NFL owners unanimously selected the Carolinas as the 29th NFL franchise.
-
Dom Capers became head coach, leading the Panthers into a winning season
-
The Panthers began play in the 1995 NFL season. Led by head coach Dom Capers
