New Panthers COO Tina Becker Started Out as the Team’s CHEERLEADING COACH

The Carolina Panthers have announced Tina Becker as new chief operating officer in charge of day-to-day operations of the franchise, a role formerly occupied by team owner Jerry Richardson.

The Panthers front office was thrown into turmoil on Friday when the NFL announced it is investigating Richardson for several allegations of workplace misconduct, including sexual harassment and the use of racial slurs.

Richardson announced on Sunday that he was stepping down as COO, and that he will sell the Panthers at the conclusion of the 2017 season.

The Panthers say the decision to make Tina Becker the new COO was not mandated by the NFL, but it is notable nonetheless. Not only is Becker now one of the highest-ranking female executives in the NFL, but hers is a story of someone who started at the bottom and worked her way up to the top.

Becker started with the Panthers back in 1999 as the team’s cheerleading coach. From there she became the team’s director of entertainment before joining the front office, where she held numerous positions dealing with business priorities and league affairs.

“Tina is the right person to lead this organization,” says Hugh McColl, the former CEO of Bank of America who played a key role in bringing the Panthers to Charlotte in 1995. “I know she is committed to the Panthers, to the city of Charlotte, and to ensuring this organization is run in a professional and progressive manner.”

Becker, for her part, sounds ready to take on the turmoil.

“These have been some of the most difficult days of my 19 years with the Panthers, but I am lifted up by the strong resolve and the commitment our employees have shown to this organization,” Becker said in a statement. “Our team on the field is performing at a very high level, and I believe is bound for the Super Bowl. My immediate focus will be to ensure the corporate side of the organization performs at the same high level, while addressing the real concerns that have been raised in recent days.”

This is a pretty amazing silver lining to an otherwise ugly story.

Hat Tip – [ESPN]

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