• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Panthers Finally Win, but Criticism of Owner David Tepper Grows

  • The Panthers beat the Raiders after benching the No. 1 pick of the 2023 draft.
  • Carolina owner David Tepper continues to receive criticism in the media.
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The Panthers won their first game of the 2024 NFL season Sunday, after the benching of 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick Bryce Young led to a week-long discussion about dysfunction surrounding the franchise and owner David Tepper. 

Carolina upset the Raiders 36-22 in Las Vegas, led by newly appointed starting quarterback Andy Dalton, 36, who threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns. It also marked the first win for first-year head coach Dave Canales, who was hired in January after Tepper fired head coaches midseason the previous two years.

Forever Young?

After starting 0-2, the Panthers made the unprecedented decision to bench Young after just 18 starts in the NFL—and a 2-16 record. As the top pick in last year’s draft, Young signed a fully guaranteed four-year, $38 million contract. If he were to be released after this season, he would carry a dead cap hit of $22.4 million, according to Spotrac, and $12.3 million if he were traded. 

However, on Sunday morning, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Carolina is not interested in trading Young this fall, despite fielding multiple inquiries from other teams after his benching. 

Blame Game

Ahead of Week 3 action kicking off Sunday afternoon, multiple pregame NFL shows took shots at the leadership of Tepper.

“The owner of the Carolina Panthers, that’s the problem,” two-time Super Bowl champion coach Jimmy Johnson said on Fox NFL Sunday. “He’s making the major decisions without listening to his football people. … He’s got to listen to his football people and quit playing fantasy football.”

On ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown, Randy Moss echoed a similar sentiment. “The laughingstock of the National Football League is the Carolina Panthers,” the Hall of Fame receiver said. “And it’s not because of how they’re playing. It’s everything, from ownership all the way down.”

Following the victory in Las Vegas, Carolina now sits at 1-2, still in last place in the NFC South.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Gauff, Pegula Out at Wimbledon in Nightmare Start for American Women, ESPN

Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula were ranked Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, entering Wimbledon.

LIV Golf CEO Pushes Back On PGA Tour Merger

Scott O’Neil said there could be new opportunities for the Tour’s players.
Ohio State

Collectives Funnel $20 Million to College Athletes on Last Day Before Revenue..

Collectives frontloaded payments just before the revenue sharing era begins July 1.

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.
Myles Turner

Pacers Sour on Paying Luxury Tax and Let Myles Turner Walk

The team had seemed willing to cross the threshold for their center.
July 1, 2025

Bucks Shock NBA World By Waiving Lillard’s $113M Deal, Signing Turner

Damian Lillard had two years left on his deal.
Manchester City
July 1, 2025

Manchester City Pockets $50 Million for Early Club World Cup Elimination

Saudi side Al-Hilal will bank at least $35 million in its quarterfinal run.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
July 1, 2025

Panthers Lock Up Stanley Cup–Winning Core With Long-Term Deals

Hours before free agency, Florida cemented terms with their essential players.
June 30, 2025

Nuggets, Rockets Make Aggressive Moves to Challenge Thunder

Denver took the Thunder to seven games in the conference semifinals.
June 30, 2025

Cohen’s $331M Mets Spiral Into June Swoon Despite Soto Surge

Frustrations rise as the high-spending Mets have lost 13 of 16 games.
WNBA
June 27, 2025

Portland WNBA Team President Out After Just Two Months As Launch Gets..

Portland has struggled to hire a GM, according to a source.