Jerry Richardson to put Panthers up for sale amid workplace misconduct investigation

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Carolina Panthers founder and controlling owner Jerry Richardson will put his majority interest in the club he’s owned since its inception up for sale at the conclusion of the season, the team announced Sunday night. 

The unexpected announcement came two days after the Panthers disclosed Richardson, 81, was the subject of an internal investigation over alleged workplace misconduct. On Sunday, Sports Illustrated reported that Richardson and the Panthers had reached confidential settlements with four ex-employees and had faced allegations of sexual harassment. 

The NFL announced earlier Sunday that investigation would be taken over by league investigators. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told USA TODAY Sports after Richardson's announcement that the league had no comment.

“I believe that it is time to turn the franchise over to new ownership,” Richardson said in the statement. “Therefore, I will put the team up for sale at the conclusion of this NFL season. We will not begin the sale process, nor will we entertain any inquiries, until the very last game is played. I hope everyone in this organization, both on and off the field, will be firmly focused on just one mission: to play and win the Super Bowl.”

In October, co-owner Mark Richardson said a plan was in place to sell the team after his father died.

Richardson has guided the Panthers since the franchise's inception in 1993. Carolina has twice made it to the Super Bowl but never won a championship.

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