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While new Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper would like the focus to be on his plans for the team’s future Vincent Rey Jersey , he cannot completely put the franchise’s sullied past behind him.

Tepper has to keep the prominent statue of Panthers’ founder Jerry Richardson outside of the stadium as part of the NFL-record $2.2 billion deal he agreed to in June after Richardson decided to sell the team in December amid reports of sexual and racial misconduct in the workplace.

Tepper said Tuesday when he was introduced as the team’s new owner that he’s ”contractually obligated” to keep the 13-foot high statue of Richardson standing alongside two growling panthers where it is.

The league substantiated the allegations against Richardson following a six-month investigation and fined him $2.75 million.

Fans have expressed their desire on social media and sports talk shows to remove the statue, which was built in 2016.

And while Tepper said contractually he can’t do that, he spoke repeatedly about changing the environment of the Panthers workplace.

Tepper said there will be ”no impediment” in employees feeling comfortable coming forward if they if they have any problems on the business side of the organization.

He wants to create an environment where ”everybody feels safe like a family.”

Sports Illustrated reported in December, citing unnamed sources, that Richardson made sexually suggestive comments to women and on at least one occasion directed a racial slur at an African-American Panthers scout. The report states that he reached settlements that included non-disclosure requirements forbidding the parties from discussing the details.

”Listen, whatever was, was. This is now,” Tepper said. ”This is going to be an open place. So there are not going to be non-disclosure agreements, no matter what, in this new place. That was then, this is now.”

The Panthers are only tied to Charlotte through June 2019 in terms of a stadium agreement, but Tepper reiterated the city is ”the most logical place” to keep the team, although adding that a ”redo” is necessary.

The Panthers and the city of Charlotte came to an agreement on improvements for the team’s stadium in 2013, calling for the city to contribute about $87 million for renovations to Bank of America Stadium in exchange for a six-year hard tether to keep the NFL franchise in Charlotte.

Tepper’s focus right now is on new practice facilities.

He said the Panthers are ”falling behind a little bit” other teams in the league.

He is considering moving the team’s practice facilities to South Carolina, in part to keep both states interested in the team. The Panthers currently practice on three fields within walking distance to their downtown stadium. Tepper said that valuable land could be used for developmental purposes.

Tepper Matt Slauson Jersey , who grew up playing football, also said he wants more events at the team’s stadium, including high school state championship football games and the ”right kind of concerts.”

He is excited about the football side of the team, praising two-time AP Coach of the Year Ron Rivera and his hiring of new offensive coordinator Norv Turner to replace Mike Shula.

”I’m not looking to do too much there,” Tepper said of the coaching side.

However, Tepper plans to hire a new team president to replace Danny Morrison, who left last year, and former COO Tina Becker, who resigned on Monday after seven months in the position. He said he has two replacement candidates in mind, both with some marketing background.

He also likes the makeup of the team’s roster with training camp right around the corner, citing how involved players are in the community and charity work.

He cited Spider-Man, saying that ”with great power comes great responsibility.”

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>Time for the fantasy championship, the culmination of 15 grueling weeks to get to the final game.Does the waiver wire matter this week? Probably not as much as most other weeks. It comes down to team needs.Obviously, depth is no longer important with only one game left. So if you are claiming someone, it is likely because you either have a lineup decision to make that will involve one of the player(s) that you are trying to acquire Kyle Long Jersey , or you want to keep someone away from an opponent.Yes, you should be looking closely at your opponent’s lineup this week. You need to figure out if they have a weakness anywhere. Perhaps they have Antonio Brown and don’t have much depth at wide receiver. If that’s the case, then you may want to claim the best WR on your waiver wire. You may even want to claim more than one, if you have the room on your roster. Just make sure the players you give up won’t help your opponent or hurt your chances of winning. There is nothing wrong with being proactive.One last note, if you play in a dynasty or keeper league, then this may very well be the last week in which you can acquire a player. Even if you’re not a team in contention, you should scan waivers for players that can help you next season. You never know who a playoff team might have had to drop in order to try to win, and so many teams just hang it up once they’re eliminated rather than trying to get better for next season. If your league does extend to Week 17, we also offer some fliers.NICK FOLES, QB, Philadelphia Eagles (39 percent): With his performance against the Giants, Foles erased any doubts about whether he could handle the starting job in the wake of the season-ending injury to Carson Wentz. Foles used all the weapons around him to throw for 237 yards and four touchdowns. He also gets the Raiders at home this week, one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL.KERWYNN WILLIAMS, RB, Arizona Cardinals (39 percent): It’s not that Williams is a great back Kerryon Johnson Jersey , but the Cardinals believe in a one-back system and pretty much running that back into the ground. He doesn’t have to be great to have a good fantasy game. The volume will be there and so will the fantasy points.JAVORIUS ALLEN, RB, Baltimore Ravens (37 percent): Just about any running back with a pulse in the NFL has value. Yes, the Ravens have so many cooks in the kitchen with Danny Woodhead, Alex Collins, and Allen looking for touches, but it is the Colts they are playing this week Indianapolis made C.J. Anderson look like a must-play in Week 15.AARON JONES, RB, Green Bay Packers (48 percent): The Packers may have been waiting for a bad game from Jamaal Williams to get Jones more touches. Williams didn’t play well versus Carolina on Sunday but even if you believe Jones will get the starting job back, the Vikings are on next on the schedule and it’s hard to see either back having much success in Week 16.WAYNE GALLMAN, RB, New York Giants (10 percent): It’s hard to tell what the Giants might do as coach Steve Spagnuolo seems more inclined to try and win games rather than see what kind of players he has for next season. Gallman should see increased touches but that’s not written in stone.CHRIS IVORY, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (29 percent): He would only come into play if you believe that Leonard Fournette will miss another game and Ivory would get the start over T.J. Yeldon.BRANDEN OLIVER, RB Chuck Howley Jersey , Los Angeles Chargers (1 percent): With Austin Ekeler lost for the season with a broken hand, Oliver is next in line to give Melvin Gordon a breather here and there.KENNY BRITT, WR, New England Patriots (9 percent): You would have to be extremely desperate to trust Britt but maybe you’re a Chris Hogan owner or play in 16-plus team league.KEELAN COLE, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (2 percent): Marquise Lee had to leave the game Sunday with a sprained ankle and will be extremely questionable to play in Week 16. Cole was the biggest beneficiary of Lee’s injury Sunday as he had seven receptions for 186 yards and a score.ELI ROGERS, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (1 percent): He is another deep play as even with Brown out for the rest of the regular season, he will still not be any better than fourth or fifth on the depth chart behind Martavis Bryant, Juju Smith-Schuster, Le’Veon Bell, and possibly Jesse James (who is also a possible pick up if you need help at TE as he is only owned in 20 percent of CBS Sports leagues).This column was provided to The Associated Press by the Fantasy Sports Network, Jaren Jackson Jr. Jersey ,