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CHARLOTTE Cam Newton Color Rush Jersey , N.C. (AP)The NFL made it clear Thursday it isn’t forcing Panthers owner Jerry Richardson to sell the team while he is under investigation for sexual and racial misconduct in the workplace. NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart said during a conference call that ”there was no pressure from the league on Mr. Richardson” to sell his team . Lockhart said Richardson ”came to the conclusion over that weekend that putting his team up for sale was what he wanted to do. We found out about it shortly before the announcement came out.” The NFL plans to hire an outside counsel to conduct the Richardson investigation, but a final decision has not been made on which firm. Lockhart said the league didn’t know about the allegations against Richardson until Friday, the same day the Panthers put out a stunning news release first announcing its own investigation of Richardson’s alleged workplace misconduct. That was followed on Sunday by a Sports Illustrated report that detailed Richardson’s alleged misconduct. Lockhart said the NFL is expecting full cooperation from the Panthers. There is a huge concern among the fan base that new ownership might move the team from Charlotte. ”The league, as we have said in a number of different contexts, our first choice is always for franchise stability Michael Palardy Jersey ,” Lockhart said. ”The franchise in Carolina has been successful both on the field and from a community impact.” North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said he wants to see the team stay in Charlotte, and added he planned to call local Charlotte officials to discuss what he can do from a state government perspective. ”I think the Panthers are important to North Carolina and to the economy,” Cooper said. ”I don’t see any reason why they should be moved anywhere else. I would certainly prefer people from North Carolina to own the Panthers but obviously we can’t control that. But I am going to discuss with officials in Charlotte what steps we should take. We certainly want to be encouraging to the Panthers to stay in North Carolina and there is no reason to believe that they’re going anywhere.” There have already been some potential buyers who have come forward to express interest in buying the Panthers. The NFL outlined some of rules by which the Panthers franchise, located in downtown Charlotte, would change hands under new ownership. – A new controlling owner is required to individually own at least 30 percent of equity. (Most owners typically own more than that https://www.carolina...am-Mills-Jersey , and some own 100 percent). – A new owner needs to be able to demonstrate financial wherewithal to acquire and effectively operate the team. – A new owner must have full voting control over all matters involving club and stadium, all football operations. – The new owner cannot exhaust his or her (total) financial resources to make a bare minimum equity (acquisition). – A new owner is limited to a maximum of $250 million in total debt related to the club. Other debt is permitted beyond that debt ceiling, but it has to be collateralized by non-football assets. -The payment must be paid in cash or financed. – A new ownership group is limited to a maximum of 25 co-owners. – A public company or not-for-profit can’t buy the team. -All owners must be approved by three-quarters (24 of 32) of member clubs. Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly was in the meeting Sunday night when Richardson informed team captains he is selling the team. ”I think guys were bummed because what he has meant to a lot of guys in this locker room,” Kuechly said. ”Just how he has taken care of guys. Everyone has a different story to tell. And I think all of the captains in that room have a positive story to tell.” Richardson has stepped away from day-to-day operations, and the Panthers hired Tina Becker as its new COO https://www.carolina...ccaffrey-Jersey , and given her full control of the organization. Kuechly said the best way to ”send him off” would be for the Panthers to win their first Super Bowl in franchise history before Richardson plans to sell the team after the season. — AP Writer Gary Robertson in Raleigh, N.C., contributed to this report. — NEW YORK (AP) — The “Killer B’s” have the Pittsburgh Steelers on top.The surging Steelers moved up three spots to No. 1 in the AP Pro32 poll on Tuesday, receiving nine of 12 first-place votes for 381 points in balloting by media members who regularly cover the NFL.Pittsburgh (11-2) won eight in a row and clinched the AFC North title for the third time in four seasons with a 39-38 win over Baltimore on Sunday night.Ben Roethlisberger became the only quarterback in NFL history with the third 500-yard game of his career.Running back Le’Veon Bell had 125 combined yards and a touchdown. And wide receiver Antonio Brown had 11 catches for 213 yards.“There hasn’t been much talk about Ben Roethlisberger in the MVP race, but there should be https://www.carolina...Williams-Jersey ,” Newsday’s Bob Glauber said. “He’s coming off another monster game with 506 passing yards and two touchdowns in a thrilling win over the Ravens, helping the Steelers to another AFC North title and positioning them for what could be a deep playoff run.”The Steelers host the New England Patriots (10-3) in a highly anticipated matchup, with the winner likely getting home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.Despite losing quarterback Carson Wentz for the season with a torn ACL, the Philadelphia Eagles inched up a spot to No. 2. The Eagles picked up two first-place votes.“How far can Nick Foles take the Eagles?” asked Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. “Not as far as Carson Wentz might have.”The Patriots dropped two places from the top spot after Monday night’s 27-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins. They received the remaining first-place vote and trail the Eagles by only one point, 363-362.“Tom Brady was a little off Monday night against Miami https://www.carolina...-Jackson-Jersey , but don’t count him out Sunday against Pittsburgh,” said John Clayton of ESPN 710 Seattle.The Minnesota Vikings also fell two spots to No. 4 after losing Sunday to the Carolina Panthers. The Vikings will attempt to clinch the NFC North when they host the reeling Cincinnati Bengals.The Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints remained at Nos. 5 and 6 despite close losses.And the Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars each moved up a spot, to Nos. 7 and 8, after close wins.“With a relentless pass rush and Blake Bortles gaining confidence, the Jags have the look of a playoff upstart capable of doing some serious damage Greg Olsen Jersey ,” said Ira Kaufman of SB Nation Radio.The Panthers (9-4) beat the Vikings 31-24 and are tied with the Saints for first place in the NFC South.The Atlanta Falcons (8-5) moved up two spots to No. 9 after beating the Saints last Thursday night.And the Seattle Seahawks dropped three places to No. 10 after losing to the Jaguars. The Seahawks host the Rams in a key NFC West matchup on Sunday.“Have a chance to sweep (the) Rams,” Fox Sports’ John Czarnecki said of Russell Wilson and the Seahawks.