The new owner of the Carolina Panthers is committed to keeping the team in the Carolinas.

And Charlotte is clearly his preferred choice.

But David Tepper left a bit of wiggle room on his first day as owner of the team.

The NFL unanimously approved Tepper’s $2.2 billion purchase of the team from Jerry Richardson on Tuesday Sammie Coates Jersey , leading to immediate questions about the new owner’s thoughts on replacing 22-year-old Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

”What’s the name of the team? Carolina Panthers. It’s going to be the Carolina Panthers,” Tepper said. ”And that means this team has to have some kind of presence in the Carolinas and last time I saw, how many are there? That’s right, there’s two of them.”

Tepper seemed to be implying that he might consider other cities in North and South Carolina if efforts to build a new stadium in Charlotte fall through. The lease with Bank of America Stadium runs for only one more season.

But Tepper reiterated several times that the largest city in the Carolinas is the best place for the team.

”There is a logical place for this team, and it’s Charlotte,” he said. ”And far as a new stadium, again, you’re asking me too much and the only thing I have a market on now is lack of knowledge. I’ll call it stupidity, so I’ve got that down. I’ll learn a lot more in the future.”

Tepper’s purchase was the first order of business at the league’s spring meeting in Atlanta. He was quickly approved after passing muster with the owners’ finance committee during a morning session.

”We congratulate David and welcome him to the NFL,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said.

Tepper is paying an NFL-record price to buy the team from Jerry Richardson Jarvis Landry Jersey , the team’s founder and only owner since the Panthers entered the league in 1995.

Richardson abruptly announced he was selling the team last December after coming under investigation from the league for sexual and racial misconduct in the workplace. The probe is ongoing.

Tepper is the founder and president of global hedge fund Appaloosa Management, with a reported net worth of $11 billion. Already familiar to the league as a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, his purchase was quickly approved.

Tepper said he plans to formally take over the team in July.

In the meantime, he reserved judgment on both a new stadium and those who are running the football side of things, most notably general manager Marty Hurney and coach Ron Rivera.

”I do think they have a great team down there right now,” Tepper said. ”The biggest thing I can do is have a great appreciation of how stupid I am. Sometimes, it’s better to do nothing than to do something.”

Bank of America will be the NFL’s seventh-oldest stadium after Los Angeles opens its new facility for the Rams and Chargers , and the Raiders complete their move from Oakland to Las Vegas .

That has raised the prospect of the Panthers seeking another home if they can’t get a new stadium of their own.

Tepper touched on the idea of bringing a Major League Soccer team to Charlotte, which could improve the financial viability of a new stadium. The city was passed over in MLS’ latest round of expansion.

”The first thing I care about is winning. The second thing I care about is winning. And the third thing I care about is?” he said, waiting for the media to give the obvious answer. ”That’s on and off the field. That includes charity aspect Jordan Mills Jersey , community aspect and how you make a community better. So you win a lot of ways, and I don’t like losing in any way.”

Rivera said he looks forward to working with the new owner.

”He has a sense and a feel for football and he has been around it,” the coach said. ”Eventually I know we will sit down and talk some football and talk about this team.”

While the owners were approving Tepper, the new-look Panthers were holding their first organized workouts some 250 miles away in Charlotte.

”For a lot of people, I am sure they are ready for some closure and for that transition to start,” tight end Greg Olsen said. ”I think this transition has been inevitable for a little while since it was announced that the team would be sold. I think for a lot of people in the building, the players, the team, just to put all of this to rest and move forward in the new direction that the team is going with.”

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The Seattle Seahawks cut ties on Friday with star cornerback Richard Sherman, who became one of the NFL's premier cornerbacks during his seven seasons with the team.

The team informed Sherman early in the day he would be released Matt Kalil Jersey , and he confirmed the decision in a text message to The Associated Press. The move appeared to be building after he met with the team Wednesday to discuss his future. Sherman declined to comment after the meeting.

"Thank you for helping win championships, shape our culture and define success in Seattle," the team said in a statement announcing the decision.

"We love you and your unwavering competitiveness, confidence and fierce passion for football and life. For that, you will always be a Hawk!"

Sherman was an overlooked fifth-round draft pick who went on to become a two-time All-Pro who helped anchor a defense that was the league's best for several years.

He will be 30 years old going into next season and coming off an Achilles tendon injury that cost him half of the 2017 season.

But the biggest reason for his release was financial. Sherman was due $13 million for the 2018 season and his release gives Seattle a salary cap savings of about $11 million. Sherman was released with a "failed physical" injury designation.

Sherman issued a statement later Friday thanking the Seahawks for "taking a chance."

"As this chapter comes to a close, I am looking forward to what the future holds," Sherman said.

Sherman became a star in Seattle, bringing a brash attitude and willingness to speak out on any topic to go along with his stellar play. His best seasons came in 2013 and 2014 when Seattle made two Super Bowl appearances and he has 32 interceptions.

This may not be an end for Sherman and the Seahawks, depending on what he finds in free agency. Seattle could be open to bringing Sherman back at a reduced salary.

Sherman was open to the idea of a new place to call home last offseason when Seattle engaged in trade discussions surrounding Sherman, but said his preference was to remain with the Seahawks.

What's still to be answered is how much of an impact the Achilles injury will have. Sherman has never been the fastest cornerback Ibraheim Campbell Jersey , often using his exquisite technique and smarts to make up for less than elite speed. But recovery from Achilles injuries can often be troublesome and Sherman also had a cleanup surgery on his opposite ankle during the offseason.

The questions about Sherman's health account for Seattle's position. The Seahawks don't want to be paying a premium price for a cornerback entering the final year of his contract with an injury concern. Seattle could be sacrificing something greater, though. Sherman has been a locker-room leader and mentor to younger players. Shaquill Griffin spoke regularly about Sherman's influence last year.

But it's clear the Seahawks are a team in transition, although it also remains to be seen how significant this makeover will be. Seattle already traded Michael Bennett to Philadelphia for two late-round draft picks and a little-used wide receiver. Kam Chancellor and Cliff Avril both have neck injuries, and it's uncertain if they'll play again. Earl Thomas said at the Pro Bowl he wants a new contract and may hold out. Seattle also released cornerback Jeremy Lane on Friday. The move with Lane will save Seattle $4.75 million against the salary cap in 2018.

About the only sure thing for the defense is the return of All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner. General manager John Schneider, speaking at the NFL combine, called it a "constant puzzle."

"You're trying to put stuff together all the time," he said. "It's a big challenge."

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