COLUMBIA, SC (WBTW) – Governor McMaster on Wednesday announced the Carolina Panthers are interested in a move to South Carolina.
The governor met with Panthers’ owner David Tepper and his legal team about a possible move that would bring 150 employees and an estimated $150 million to the state over four years.
The practice facility would be moved to York or Lancaster counties, he said.
“This is a very exciting moment for South Carolina, something we have been working at for quite a while,” McMaster said. “We have a long way to go.”
Annual payroll is estimated at $190 million a year for the 150 employees, which would include players, coaches, trainers, management, legal, accounting, human resources, marketing, office positions and ground crew.
But the Associated Press reports there’s at least one big hurdle – football players don’t practice enough hours to be considered full-time employees in the state, so South Carolina can’t offer the Panthers tax breaks and other incentives.
McMaster and legislative leaders said they’ll push to exempt football players from the rule.
A decision has not been made.
