CHARLOTTE, N.C. – NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he and other team owners would prefer to see the new owners of the Carolina Panthers keep the team in Charlotte.
Goodell was speaking at his annual State of the NFL address on Wednesday ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis.
“I think all of us and the owners believe that Carolina is a great market," he said. "It’s a market we would like to stay in. We hope the franchise owner that’s eventually selected will have that view."
NBC Charlotte has reported extensively on a group of potential buyers being put together by Charlotte businessman Felix Sabates.
Sabates has said his group would want to keep the team in Charlotte but would need a new domed stadium and spots to park 20,000 vehicles.
Goodell said while it can’t usually be stipulated that the team stay here, it would be of interest to the other owners.
“I’m sure that will be a question that many of our owners will ask. I think that will clearly be the interest of our ownership,” Goodell said.
No decision on a new buyer will be made until after the Super Bowl.
