Tepper Sports CEO Nick Kelly abruptly steps down

Tepper Sports & Entertainment announced Wednesday morning that chief executive officer Nick Kelly is stepping down from his role.

Kelly was appointed the position within Tepper Sports, the ownership group of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers and Major League Soccer’s expansion team Charlotte FC, in February amid a shakeup of leadership across the organizations.

He was named Charlotte FC team president in December 2020 and helped launch the team before its inaugural season this year.

“Nick played an integral role in laying the groundwork for Charlotte FC’s inaugural season, and was a key contributor to Tepper Sports & Entertainment,” owner David Tepper said in a release provided by the Panthers and Charlotte FC. “We appreciate his efforts and wish him and his family the best as they move forward.”

It’s unclear when Kelly will formally leave the organization, and who will replace him in the role. His departure is an abrupt one. In an interview with The Charlotte Observer last week, Kelly spoke for the organization about several long-term projects he was supposed to be integrally involved in, including a massive renovation of Bank of America Stadium to make it last for at least another decade.

“I want to thank Mr. and Mrs. Tepper, as well as the entire Tepper Sports & Entertainment organization, for giving me the opportunity to build a club, culture, and fanbase from the ground up at Charlotte FC,” Kelly said in a statement. “It has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and for that, I will be forever grateful and a fan.”

This story is breaking and will be updated.

This story was originally published May 4, 2022 11:06 AM.