The Panthers announced Sunday that Jerry Richardson would put the team up for sale.
Word came Monday that Richardson would step aside from day-to-day activities so he can focus on the sale of the team.
Carolina's executive director of business operations, Tina Becker, will take full control of the organization as the COO effective immediately.
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"These have been some of the most difficult days of my 19 years with the Panthers, but I am lifted up by the strong resolve and the commitment our employees have shown to this organization," Becker said in a statement released by the team. "Our team on the field is performing at a very high level, and I believe is bound for the Super Bowl. My immediate focus will be to ensure the corporate side of the organization performs at the same high level, while addressing the real concerns that have been raised in recent days."
The Panthers announced Friday that the team had launched an internal investigation into Richardson's workplace misconduct. That investigation was then taken over by the NFL.
Sports Illustrated reported Sunday that at least four former Panthers employees have received "significant" monetary settlements as a result of inappropriate workplace conduct by Richardson, including "sexually suggestive language and behavior, and on at least one occasion directing a racial slur at an African-American Panthers scout."
The report notes the settlements included non-disclosure agreements, preventing the parties from talking about the situation.
A number of former Panthers employees told SI that Richardson’s conduct was "treated as something of a running office joke" rather than dealt with in an appropriate manner. The allegations include Richardson asking female employees if he could personally shave their legs and saying some women were able to "wiggle" into their jeans.
The Panthers were awarded the NFL's 29th franchise in 1993, and Richardson's team was valued at $2.3 billion in September, according to Forbes. Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Monday he hopes the new owner would keep the team in Charlotte. Rivera admitted to being "taken back a bit" by the report, but did not want to comment on the NFL investigation.
"I know the allegations are serious," Rivera said. "I know the league is doing an investigation, and everybody should be heard and respected. At the end of the day, who am I to judge? We need to have all the answers before we can do any of that. I just think that as we go forward as a football team, I think it’s important to remember that we’re still here obviously to play football."