Saturday, October 3, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds
Law

Judge Rejects Settlement for Carolina Panthers’ Failed $800M HQ

  • Plans for the facility included a 5,000-seat stadium and indoor practice center.
  • Construction began in 2020 and was halted in March after a missed payment.
Construction site for Carolina Panthers facilities
Carolina Panthers

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Another setback has unfolded regarding a failed $800 million headquarters and training facility for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers in Rock Hill, South Carolina. 

A federal judge has rejected a settlement plan for GT Real Estate — a development arm controlled by Panthers owner David Tepper — that filed for bankruptcy in June after investing more than $170 million toward the construction of the ill-fated project. 

Two months later, GT Real Estate submitted a plan to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to repay creditors and resolve all claims. The judge refused to approve the plan over third-party releases, which would prevent creditors from pursuing legal claims against third parties. 

  • Plans for the facility included a 5,000-seat stadium and indoor practice center.
  • Construction began in 2020 and was halted in March after a missed payment. 

In November, Rock Hill agreed to a $20 million settlement with GT Real Estate, which equates to what the city invested. Earlier this month, York County — where Rock Hill is located — agreed to its own $21 million settlement over sales tax money allocated toward the project. 

Steady Plans  

NFL owners approved an abundance of items on Wednesday related to the construction of new stadiums and upgrades of current ones.

Scoreboard showing highlights and fans cheering at Broncos Stadium in Denver

NFL Owners Pave Way for New Stadiums, Upgrades

NFL owners have approved items related to new stadiums and upgrades.
December 14, 2022

Items related to the proposal of a new $2.1 billion stadium for the Tennessee Titans and a $1.4 billion stadium for the Buffalo Bills were approved, sources told Front Office Sports. Owners also sanctioned the extension of the Bills’ lease at their current home, Highmark Stadium.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

How the Baseball Cap Became a ‘Behemoth’

The hat has become essential for athletes, fans, and the sports-agnostic.
Morishita-Sato-homerun-celebration-at-Meiji-Jingu-Baseball-Staidum-2025

Japanese Baseball Is Fighting Back Against MLB Talent Drain

Nippon Professional Baseball is reimagining how to be a global juggernaut.
Aug 9, 2026; Bedminster, New Jersey, USA; President Donald Trump walks out of the clubhouse during the final round of the LIV Golf New York tournament at Trump National Bedminster.

Trump’s Year of Sports Gets Busier With CFB, Presidents Cup

The impact of Trump’s attendance varies across each sporting event.
A Bar of Their Own

Women’s Sports Bars: Novelty Has Worn Off, ‘That’s a Good Thing’

They’re leveling up, but sustainability remains the first consideration.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

A Conversation with Randy Levine on the Yankees’ $2.6B Apollo Deal and the Protect College Sports Act

0:00

Featured Today

Hot & Social/Mets

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.
Exclusive
September 18, 2026

Vicious Infighting Is Jeopardizing the Future of Women’s Baseball

The WPBL’s own CEO admits there’s a “power struggle.”
September 17, 2026

Fantasy Football Drafts Are Turning Into Full-Blown Vacations

Leagues are forgoing solo drafts and replacing them with in-person getaways.
Oct 4, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; General action during the first period of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mullett Arena
September 10, 2026

How Military-Style Workouts in College Sports Get Dangerous

For elite athletes, high-intensity training can be “very appealing.”
September 6, 2026

Is Carolyn Tisch Blodgett the Future Face of Giants Ownership?

Amid changes at top of Giants ownership, eyes are on Tisch Blodgett.
Mar 16, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer reacts against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Exclusive

Ballmer Drops Lawyer Who Called NBA Probe a ‘Witch Hunt’

O’Melveny & Myers had been representing Ballmer in multiple matters.
September 17, 2026

Mark Walter and His Insurance Empire Face New Class Action Suit

An annuity holder sued the owner of the Dodgers and his companies.
Polymarket logo appears in this illustration taken April 22, 2026.
September 24, 2026

New York Takes Aim at Polymarket With $4.6B Suit

“Our gambling laws exist to protect New Yorkers.”
Sponsored

Beyond the Scorecard: How Dow Is Putting Purpose at the Center of Women’s Golf

Discover how Dow and the LPGA are building a partnership with lasting impact.
Mar 21, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) looks on during the game between the Mavericks and the Clippers at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
September 11, 2026

Kawhi Leonard Saga Enters Uncharted Territory With Federal Probe

News of the probe comes a week after the NBA announced its punishment.
Cortlandt defeats Pearl River 7-2 in ice hockey action at Bear Mountain Ice Rink in Stony Point on December 16, 2025.
September 11, 2026

Parents Sue Black Bear Sports Over Youth Hockey Hotel Tactics

The suit seeks at least $5 million in damages.
September 3, 2026

Enes Kanter Freedom Sues Chicago Sky, City of Chicago

Sky owner Michael Alter said Freedom “made himself into a threat.”
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Final - Spain v Argentina - New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - July 19, 2026 FIFA President Gianni Infantino inside the stadium before the match IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Mark J Rebilas
September 3, 2026

FIFA Fires Back at UEFA Legal Attack: ‘Smear Campaign’

UEFA has four legal cases concerning FIFA in three states.