According to recent reports, the owner of the struggling NFL team, the Carolina Panthers, has been hit with a hefty fine of $300,000 after a viral incident involving him and a fan during a game on Sunday. The owner, David Tepper, who also happens to be a billionaire hedge fund manager, was caught on camera throwing a drink at fans from his luxury booth in Jacksonville, showing a complete lack of respect for paying customers.
The Panthers are currently sitting at the bottom of the league with a disappointing record of 2-14. With no chance at the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, it seems frustration may have gotten the best of Tepper during Sunday’s game against the Jaguars.
In a video posted on social media, Tepper can be seen pouring out his drink through an open window before tossing the cup aside, seemingly in frustration. This act only added insult to injury as the Panthers went on to lose the game 26-0.
Looks like Panthers owner David Tepper threw a drink into the crowd…pic.twitter.com/dP9zEmbyrz
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 31, 2023
As a result of his actions, the NFL announced on Tuesday that Tepper would be fined $300,000 for his unacceptable behavior. The league also called out the team owner for his lack of respect towards the fans who support the league and its teams. “All NFL personnel are expected to conduct themselves at all times in ways that respect our fans and favorably reflect on their team and the NFL,” the statement read.
From the NFL:
“The National Football League today fined Carolina Panthers’ chairman David Tepper $300,000 for his unacceptable conduct in Jacksonville during Sunday’s game. All NFL personnel are expected to conduct themselves at all times in ways that respect our fans and…
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) January 2, 2024
Tepper’s outburst did not go unnoticed by his own players, with linebacker Shaq Thompson and rookie quarterback Bryce Young making comments about it. Others in the sports world also spoke out about Tepper’s behavior, criticizing him for showing poor sportsmanship and disrespect towards the fans.
Panthers’ QB Bryce Young kept referring to David Tepper’s statement on the drink throwing incident and didn’t go beyond that. pic.twitter.com/vTEINPlNTc
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) January 3, 2024
Tepper purchased the Panthers in 2018. In that same year, he shared a story in which he described telling a college student that then-president Donald Trump was a “demented, narcissistic scumbag.” This incident only adds to Tepper’s controversial reputation and raises questions about his temper and behavior.
With the NFL constantly under scrutiny and criticism for various issues, it is important for all parties involved to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on the league. Tepper’s actions not only show a lack of respect towards paying fans but also reflect negatively on the Panthers and the NFL as a whole. It remains to be seen if Tepper will learn from this incident and change his behavior in the future.