During the fourth quarter of the Carolina Panthers’ 26-0 loss against the host Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, a visibly disgusted Panthers owner David Tepper tossed the contents of his drink into the stands before throwing the cup onto a counter and walking away. The incident was recorded by someone seated nearby and widely circulated on social media.
Tepper, who was standing in a suite at EverBank Stadium, acted after Panthers quarterback Bryce Young threw an interception. Toward the end of the video, a spectator dressed in Panthers garb climbed up to peer into the box. It’s unclear if that spectator had been hit by Tepper’s drink.
The NFL released a statement to media saying the league is “aware of the video” but had no further comment.
It’s unknown what Tepper was drinking. There is no indication that anyone was hurt or that Jacksonville police or stadium security responded.
Throwing a drink at another person can sometimes lead to criminal charges.
Last year, a woman in Florida was charged with battery after she doused U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) with wine. Other persons have been charged with crimes for throwing different liquids, including water, onto other people. A few years ago, a Boston Celtics fan who threw a water bottle at then-Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and banned from TD Garden.
Tepper could argue he didn’t intend to hit anyone with his beverage and was merely acting in momentary frustration. Still, the stadium’s code of conduct explicitly prohibits “unruly, disruptive [or] threatening behavior” and “any conduct deemed inappropriate or dangerous.” There’s no shortage of examples of fans escorted out of games for throwing drinks or engaging in other kinds of disorderly conduct. Some of them are thereafter banned from the stadium, ballpark or arena.
Tepper, a hedge fund manager who Bloomberg estimates is worth more than $17 billion, might be an attractive target to sue. If his drink toss somehow injured a person, that person could sue and demand compensatory and punitive damages. Potential claims might include battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent infliction of emotional distress. This person might also sue the Panthers and EverBank Stadium for failing to protect them.
A lawsuit won’t progress unless there was real (not theoretical) harm. Immediately reporting an injury or property damage to stadium security would be helpful proof; waiting several days to claim an injury would hurt a case. Tepper, of course, also has the financial wherewithal to settle a lawsuit.
Even if Tepper, 66, avoids any sort of legal consequence, he might not escape the reach of the NFL.
Under the league’s personal conduct policy as well as the NFL’s constitution, commissioner Roger Goodell could fine or suspend Tepper for conduct detrimental. Goodell has the right to punish owners—who per the conduct policy are held “to a higher standard” and are “subject to more significant discipline”—when they partake in actions undermining the league’s image and relationship with fans and sponsors. An owner emptying a drink onto fans is clearly a bad look for the league.
Though a suspension might not tangibly impact the Panthers, it would bar Tepper from appearing at games and partaking in league activities, including attending committee meetings.
Last year Goodell suspended Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross for tampering violations. A decade ago, the commissioner suspended Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay after Irsay pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge for operating a vehicle while under the influence.
Tepper has many reasons to be frustrated. Last year his Panthers traded their 2024 first round pick—which, due to the 2-14 Panthers securing the league’s worst record, turns out to be the No. 1 overall pick—along with their 2023 first round pick (No. 9), 2023 second round pick (No. 61) and wide receiver DJ Moore to the Chicago Bears for their 2023 first round pick (No. 1). The Panthers used that pick to draft Young, who thus far has failed to live up to expectations.
Since Tepper bought the Panthers in 2018 for $2.275 billion, the team has the second worst record in football (31-67). Sportico estimates the Panthers are worth $4.27 billion.
