Panthers coach visits SC capitol as incentives considered

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera and a few players came to the South Carolina Statehouse as lawmakers there consider tax breaks and other incentives to get the North Carolina team to move their practice fields across state lines.

Rivera says he enjoyed meeting lawmakers Thursday, although he did not commit to where he’d like to see the team practice and locate its headquarters.

The Panthers currently practice and play in downtown Charlotte, North Carolina. South Carolina lawmakers are considering about $120 million in incentives to entice them to move some operations about 15 miles (24 kilometers) south to Fort Mill.

Several senators have asked for more information before voting on the incentives, which passed the House.

Rivera repeated several times the Panthers’ mantra that they are “two states, one team.”