THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 25, 1994 TAG: 9410250410
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C01 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Bob Molinaro
LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
Perhaps we should be flattered that the Carolina Panthers are romancing South Hampton Roads.
They don't really need our business, anymore than Charlotte needed our permission to leave us in the dust while it was becoming a sports boom town.
``We think there's a lot of merit to having fans in Virginia,'' said Mark Richardson, Panthers director of business operations and son of owner Jerry Richardson.
``People from here could easily make the trip to Charlotte for a Sunday afternoon game, and make it home in time to go to work the next day.''
No doubt, some sports starved people from Hampton Roads will do just that, though the drive to a Philadelphia Eagles game is shorter.
In the audience to hear Richardson at the Norfolk Sports Club Monday was the owner of a local travel agency that specializes in bus trips to Redskins games. Starting next fall, he'll be running excursions to Panthers games.
``People think that we're sold out, but we're not,'' Linda Mahoney of the Panthers' sales office said before accompanying Richardson to the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce.
But even when the tickets are all spoken for, an endless supply of Panther T-shirts, caps and whatnot will be available. If Carolina management can make us feel that we live in a little corner of greater Pantherland, we will express our gratitude by purchasing even more of their NFL licensed merchandise.
You can see why the Panthers would enjoy this sort of relationship. They make friends and money and Hampton Roads gets to adopt another pro football team.
During and after the luncheon, Richardson couldn't have been more cordial or professional. How could he have known that his appearance would serve as a reminder to those of us who live here that Hampton Roads remains a sports outpost.
Once again we are free to get our big league kicks long distance and second hand. With the Panthers in Charlotte, nothing changes for us. We remain the largest metropolitan area without a major league sports franchise. That's quite a distinction.
``You've got the population, TV market, quality of life and household income,'' Richardson said. ``But it comes down to the people that lead the effort.''
Richardson knows enough about Hampton Roads to realize that it has not tapped its potential. And from his experience with the Panthers, he realizes what it takes to win a franchise.
``Facilities are important and the area is important,'' he said. ``But I've become convinced that sports leagues want to work with people they feel comfortable with.''
Charlotte's courtship of pro football took 6 1/2 years. In that time, the Richardson partnership spent $6 million getting comfortable with the NFL.
For the first year, the team will be the Clemson Panthers.
The stadium in downtown Charlotte won't be ready until 1996.
By then, the Panthers hope to have created instant tradition.
``Children can come to our games with their parents,'' Richardson said, ``and 30 or 40 years down the road, they'll be bringing their children to a Panthers game.''
When that time comes, Hampton Roads could still be the largest metro area without a big league presence, unless some changes take place.
``Somebody's got to stand up and lead,'' Richardson said.
Unless a leader emerges and brings together this so-called community, the road to big-time sports will always run north and south, away from Hampton Roads. ILLUSTRATION: Staff color photo by DAVID B. HOLLINGSWORTH
``You've got the population, TV market, quality of life and
household income. But it comes down to the people that lead the
effort.''
- Mark Richardson, director of business operations for the Carolina
Panthers
by CNB