Panthers pause construction on $800M NFL practice facility

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper has paused construction on the team's $800 million practice facility in Rock Hill, South Carolina due to concerns over a lack of funding from the city needed for the project's infrastructure.

Tepper has already invested $170 million in the project, according to a statement from a spokesman for Tepper Sports and Entertainment on Monday.

'œOur partners have been unable to contribute the agreed upon investment to fund the construction of the public infrastructure,'ť the statement read. 'œGiven the economic realities, the difficult but prudent decision has been made to pause the project. The ongoing work will continue with our partners to find an economically acceptable solution for all parties to continue this project in Rock Hill.'ť

The 240-acre practice facility was set to open in 2023.

Mark Hart, the Panthers chief operating officer, sent a letter last May to York County manager David Hudspeth asking for help after the city of Rock Hill failed to secure infrastructure bonds.

'œUntil we have a path to the $225,000,000 in bonds proceeds there is a high risk necessary infrastructure objectives will not be met,'ť Hart wrote at the time.

Per the letter, the bonds were to be issued Oct. 31, 2000, but the deadline was later pushed back to Feb. 26, 2021. However, more than a year the bonds have still not been secured.

The public infrastructure includes roads, sewage, water and power to the facility.

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