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Sports in Charlotte
| Football - NFL Carolina Panthers |
 On October 26, 1993, NFL owners unanimously selected Carolina as the 29th NFL franchise and the first expansion team since 1976. Fireworks exploded over uptown Charlotte as jubilant fans gathered to celebrate the news.
"This is a dream come true for me and my partners and for the 10 million people in the Carolinas," said Carolina Panthers Owner/Founder Jerry Richardson, who became just the second former player to own an NFL team along with George Halas of the Chicago Bears. <<Website>> |
| Basketball - NBA The Charlotte Bobcats |
The NBA granted Charlotte an expansion franchise in 2003. The franchise narrowed the choice for the team’s nickname to three finalists.
The Bobcats, Dragons, and Flight are chosen out of approximately 1,250 suggestions submitted to the team and the Charlotte Regional Sports Commission. During the summer of 2003, at a street festival that attracted an overflow crowd of 7,000 fans, the Charlotte NBA expansion franchise unveils Bobcats as the team nickname. <<Website>> |
| Minor League Baseball - The Charlotte Knights |
On December 27, 1991, Minor League Baseball awarded new Triple-A expansion franchises to the cities of Charlotte and Ottawa. The Knights joined the International League in 1993 and left the Cubs to become the top farm club of the Cleveland Indians.
In its inaugural Triple-A season, the Knights claimed the 1993 International League's Governors' Cup Championship. A franchise-record 412,029 fans came out to see future big-league stars Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, Mark Lewis, Albie Lopez and Chad Ogea and future Indians manager Charlie Manuel. Thome belted 25 home runs and recorded 102 RBI's for the 1993 Knights. <<Website>> |
| Auto Racing - NASCAR |
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the largest sanctioning body of motorsports in the United States.
With roots as regional entertainment in the Southeastern U.S., NASCAR has grown to become the second-most popular professional sport in terms of television ratings inside the U.S., ranking behind only the National Football League. NASCAR's headquarters are located in Daytona Beach, Florida, although it also maintains offices in four North Carolina cities: Charlotte, Mooresville, Concord, and Conover. Regional offices are also located in New York City, Los Angeles, Arkansas, and international offices in Mexico City and Toronto, Ontario. Additionally, owing to its southern roots, all but a handful of NASCAR teams are still based in North Carolina, especially near Charlotte. Cities in North Carolina that are home to NASCAR teams include: Charlotte, Mooresville, Concord, Statesville, Huntersville, Cornelius, Welcome, Wilkesboro, Kernersville, Randleman, Greensboro, High Point, Harrisburg, and Kannapolis.<<Website>> |
| Hockey - ECHL Charlotte Checkers |
Charlotte is known as the birthplace of professional hockey in the South, and the Charlotte Checkers are proud to be part of that history. The Checkers, a member of the ECHL, are the affiliate of the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League and the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League.
Following a 17-year hiatus from hockey, Charlotte welcomed the Checkers back in 1993. Since their return, the Checkers have made the playoffs nine times – highlighted by an ECHL Championship in 1996.
Charlotte Checkers look to continue the tradition of exceeding the expectations of their fans by providing a family-oriented environment at home games, quality broadcasts and a commitment to the Charlotte community. With 36 home games filled with exciting hockey, fun promotions and great giveaways, the Charlotte Checkers have a ticket package to fit every budget. <<Website>> |
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