Carolina Panthers’ Owner David Tepper Hit with $300K Fine for Tossing Drink at Jaguars Fans

Owner of the Carolina Panthers David Tepper was fined $300,000

by the NFL on Tuesday for actions during Sunday’s 26-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars

that the league considered to be “unacceptable conduct.”

Tepper was shown on camera tossing a drink at Jaguars supporters

from his outdoor suite at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville.

The NFL underlined in response to the fine

that all employees are expected to maintain behavior

that respects fans and reflects well on both their team and the league.

Tepper apologized for his behavior, acknowledged his love for the team,

and said he should have let NFL stadium security handle any problems that came up.

He acknowledged and accepted the NFL’s disciplinary actions as well as its code of conduct.

With a net worth of $20.6 billion,

Tepper is the second-richest owner in the league;

the $300,000 fine represents less than 1% of his total wealth.

The $250,000 fine levied against former Tennessee Titans

owner Bud Adams in 2009 for making an offensive gesture toward Buffalo fans

during a victory celebration bears similarities to this punishment.

The incident happened around three minutes

before the game ended after quarterback Bryce Young intercepted a pass.

It was recorded by a Jaguars fan and shared on social media.

With the loss, Carolina’s 342-game winning streak

—which dates back to 2002—came to an end.

The Panthers (2-14) also earned the NFL’s lowest record,

which would have given the Chicago Bears the first pick in the 2024 draft.

It has been clear that Carolina has struggled since the draft,

when they had to trade top receiver DJ Moore

and two first-round picks in order to choose Young.

Once regarded by Tepper as the quarterback who will lead the Panthers to “Super Bowls,”

Young has shown statistically that he is among the worst in the NFL.

The franchise, which Tepper has owned since 2018,

has a 31-67 record and has had six straight losing seasons.

Since 2019, Tepper has fired head coaches Frank Reich

and Matt Rhule three times in the middle of the season because of their individual teams’ dismal beginnings.