Panthers Fever Affects More than Just Fans

The Carolina Panthers have a favorable position in the playoffs for the first time in years, and the Carolinas are officially in Panther mode. This mighty Carolina football team fended off its NFC South title and is sitting pretty as the second seed in the NFC, even catching a first round bye in the playoffs. What could be any better for Charlotte?

A huge economic impact. In the wake of Panthers fever and the fact that Carolina’s first playoff game will be played on home turf at the Bank of America Stadium, bars, hotels and sports stores are already preparing for what will surely be a playoff frenzy in Charlotte. Town bars are ordering more beer and food and sports stores are busy trying to reshelf team jerseys and memorabilia as quickly as the items are being snatched up by fans. Add in the cost of playoff tickets and Carolina is looking at an economic impact of $10 million (according to tourism officials.) This $10 million estimate is up from the Panthers’ 2004 home playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys, when the economic impact was an estimated $8 million. The Carolina Panthers have a huge fan base to please, and hopefully the team will surpass all expectations on January 10, when the Panthers once again storm the field at Bank of America Stadium.

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