Bank of America Extends Panthers Stadium Naming Rights in $1.3 Billion Modernization Plan
Tepper Sports & Entertainment and Bank of America have agreed to a major long-term extension of their stadium naming rights agreement, anchoring a comprehensive modernization plan valued at more than $1.3 billion for the home of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers.
The agreement ensures the venue, colloquially known to locals as “The Bank,” maintains its identity while undergoing extensive private-backed infrastructure upgrades over the coming years.
The multi-phase overhaul will dramatically modernize the 30-year-old facility situated in Uptown Charlotte—one of the few professional football venues built directly within a major American downtown commercial district. Proposed enhancements include expanded indoor-outdoor communal spaces across all concourses, state-of-the-art scoreboards, upgraded seating options, interactive technological features, and a new 500-level social patio offering vistas of the city center skyline. Externally, the building will feature updated architectural materials and an illuminated crown, drawing aesthetic inspiration from the surrounding Carolinas.
“Our goal is to create experiences that enhance the passion and energy of the region while transforming this corridor into a weekend destination for world-class sports, entertainment and community events,” said David Tepper, owner and chairman of Tepper Sports & Entertainment. Tepper, who bought the franchise in 2018, has increasingly sought to convert the stadium site into a year-round commercial hub, mirroring a broader industry shift in NFL sports property investments toward multi-use entertainment districts surrounding venues.
The relationship between the banking giant and the franchise extends back to the early 1990s, when former Bank of America chief executive Hugh McColl played a central role in leading the regional corporate effort to secure an NFL expansion franchise for Charlotte. The Panthers began play in 1995 before moving into their permanent home in 1996, which originally opened as Ericsson Stadium under a deal with Swedish telecommunications company LM Ericsson. Bank of America acquired the rights in 2004 under an initial 20-plus-year deal.
With nearly 20,000 employees based in Charlotte and company roots in the region reaching back to 1874, Bank of America views the venue as a cornerstone of its regional presence. “Over the years, Bank of America’s partnership with the Carolina Panthers has become one of the most enduring in professional sports,” stated Bank of America Chair and CEO Brian Moynihan, noting that the extension emphasizes Bank of America Stadium’s role in driving local economic opportunity and attracting millions of regional visitors.
The stadium announcement coincides with renewed momentum for the franchise on the field. Following an NFC South division title and a playoff run that ended in a close battle against the Los Angeles Rams at home, quarterback Bryce Young is heading into his fourth season as the team seeks to secure back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time in over a decade.
