Panthers owner David Tepper fined for suite incident, responds to punishment from NFL
The NFL has fined Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper following a viral video that showed the team chairman throwing the contents of a cup in the direction of Jacksonville Jaguars fans at EverBank Stadium on Sunday.
On Tuesday, the NFL said it fined Tepper $300,000 in relation to his “unacceptable conduct” during the 26-0 shutout loss to the Jaguars on New Year’s Eve.
In relation to the fine, the NFL released a statement acknowledging that “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.”
#Panthers owner David Tepper appears to throw the contents of a cup from the press box out into the stands with GM Scott Fitterer watching to his right:https://t.co/T3CvxUgCr6
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) December 31, 2023
In response to the fine, Tepper issued his own statement, acknowledging that an “issue” led to his behavior in the suite.
“I am deeply passionate about this team and regret my behavior on Sunday,” Tepper said in the team-issued statement. “I should have let NFL stadium security handle any issues that arose. I respect the NFL’s code of conduct and accept the league’s discipline for my behavior.”
Tepper was filmed from a neighboring suite late in the loss. The television playing in the suite showed a replay of a fourth-quarter interception of rookie quarterback Bryce Young.
While the replay of the turnover was shown, Tepper — with general manager Scott Fitterer standing to his right — threw the contents of his drink out of a cup toward the crowd. The windows to the suite were open.
Following the incident, the Panthers waited until Tepper was fined roughly 48 hours later to release any sort of statement. The NFL’s initial statement, which was reported by The Observer on Sunday, acknowledged that the league was aware of the incident.
The Panthers are 2-14 on the season. They’ve clinched the last-place record in the NFL and will hand over the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to the Chicago Bears as part of their deal to trade up for Young last year.
The 2023 campaign hasn’t been kind to the Panthers beyond their record. Former head coach Frank Reich was fired by Tepper after only 11 games at the helm. After Reich’s dismissal, special teams coordinator Chris Tabor took as as interim head coach with the team going 1-4 to this point in his tenure.
The 26-0 loss was the Panthers’ first shutout defeat since 2002. The team has one final game left on its schedule with a season-capping home matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers set for 1 p.m. Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.
