Fitzgerald Cecilio

The Carolina Panthers are asking the state to shoulder some expenses to renovate Bank of America Stadium.

Recently, team owner Jerry Richardson and team president Danny Morrison met with Gov. Pat McCrory and House Speaker Thom Tillis to ask the state to shell out $62 million for the $250 million renovation plan.

The Panthers are also asking the city of Charlotte for $125 million to finance part of the project. The team said it could split the other $125 million with the state.

The City Council voted tentatively to support a plan to help the Panthers. It also voted to see if the General Assembly would support increasing the prepared food and beverage tax from 1 percent to 2 percent.

It was unclear whether the state could shell out the amount asked by the Panthers. McCrory earlier said that no new money is "falling from the sky."

However, a lawmaker is open to the idea of supporting the Panthers.

"I support sports and entertainment," Democratic Sen. Malcolm Graham said. "I believe that's an important role for the state to play. It's an important part of the state's economy."

Graham, who chairs Mecklenburg County's delegation, met with Morrison and other Panthers officials last week, along with two city officials. He said the Panthers broached their plans to ask the state for around $62 million.

"It was just talking numbers," Graham said. "We discussed a number of things. I made no commitment."

Meanwhile, Charlotte Chamber President Bob Morgan said he and many of his members support a public-private partnership to renovate the stadium, believing the Panthers are extremely important to the city.

Carolina Panthers Ask for $62M Stadium Renovation