$800million NFL stadium branded ‘worst economic disaster’ prepares for final bowl game before redevelopment
Mississippi State and Wake Forest collide on Friday in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
The showdown has been held at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, since 2002 in what was originally the Queen City Bowl.
Built in 1996, the home of the Carolina Panthers is one of the oldest stadiums in the NFL and in major need of a facelift.
The Bulldogs and Demon Deacons are playing the last bowl game before a major $800 million redevelopment changes the face of the stadium.
Billionaire owner David Tepper is putting in just $150 million, with the city of Charlotte on the hook for the remaining $650 million.
The revamp was touted as a necessary investment to ensure the NFL team keeps millions in tax dollars flowing into the coffers, but a watchdog tore into the cost.
The Center For Economic Accountability declared the decision the Worst Economic Development Deal of the Year for 2024.
“This is an incredibly expensive stadium renovation project with very flimsy economic justifications, agreed to behind closed doors with a partner who deserves plenty of due diligence,” explained CEA President John C. Mozena.
“Despite those issues, Charlotte’s politicians rammed it through with as little public warning or input as possible, ignoring clear public opposition to both the substance and the process of the deal.
“To top it all off, they’re not even getting a good football team out of it.”
The Panthers managed just five wins in 2024, but have a chance of making the postseason in the current campaign.
Sitting at 8-8 heading into a Week 18 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a victory or tie will be enough to secure the NFC South title and a playoff berth.
Even defeat could be enough, as long as the Atlanta Falcons triumph over the New Orleans Saints to leave three teams on identical records at the top of the table.
In that outcome, the Panthers would get the nod over the Bucs and Falcons due to having the best head-to-head record.
Victory would secure Carolina the right to host a playoff game for the first time since 2015, giving their HQ a potential final hurrah before work begins.
New seats, screens, and audio systems are being installed alongside improved concourses and structural repairs.
The deal keeps the Panthers in Charlotte until 2045, with Tepper potentially on the hook for up to $421 million in additional expenses.
In a potential boost to those who made the agreement, the team is starting to take shape on the field.
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Former No. 1 pick Bryce Young had an awful start to his NFL career but is starting to show the potential to be a franchise quarterback.
There is work to be done — as his display against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17 proved — but flashes of brilliance have given fans hope.
Young now takes on another No. 1 pick who is enjoying a renaissance having been deemed a bust in Baker Mayfield.
The Bucs have been on a slide, and Mayfield is glad he has a chance to right the wrongs.
“We’ve been blessed with a chance next week, and guys need to handle it the right way,” he said.
“This is our last chance and it’s blatantly obvious. There are no more regular season games on the schedule. We have this one back at home and it comes down to execution.
“Players have to deliver. I’ll get this group ready. Out of bullets, out of lives. That’s alright with me.”
First up, the 5-7 Bulldogs will look to strike a blow for the SEC against their 8-4 ACC rivals.
Whoever wins will look to avoid a repeat of the 2020 disaster when Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz accidentally smashed the glass trophy.
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