Leaked documents shine light on Panther finances

Updates: Charlotte Observer — Report: Panthers profits hit $100 million over two years; Revelation a big blow to Panthers

Charlotte Business Journal — Deadspin story opens the books on Carolina Panthers’ finances

Deadspin may have just changed the debate over state funding for a new stadium in Charlotte.

Leaked NFL Documents: While Owner Cried Hardship, Carolina Panthers Had $112 Million Profit Over Two Years

The statement is for the years ending March 31, 2011, and March 31, 2012. Over the first period, as Richardson argued that the NFL’s business model was hopelessly broken and steered the owners toward a showdown to extract more money from the players, the Panthers recorded an operating profit of $78.7 million. The team had gone 2-14 on the field, but Richardson and his partners were able to pay themselves $12 million.

Over the following year, after the owners had won their lockout and reduced the players’ share of league revenue from 50 percent to 47 percent, the Panthers brought in $33.3 million in operating profit. Richardson began lobbying for public subsidies to renovate his 17-year-old stadium. The team went 6-10.