Jerry Richardson Not Being Pressured by NFL to Sell Panthers, Per Spokesman

NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart told reporters on Thursday that the NFL did not pressure Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson to put the team up for sale in the wake of sexual harassment allegations against him. 

Lockhart noted that Richardson "came to the conclusion over that weekend that putting his team up for sale was what he wanted to do," per the Associated Press. "We found out about it shortly before the announcement came out."

Richardson, 81, has been accused of sexual harassment and directing a racial slur at an African-American scout. The Panthers and Richardson also reportedly came to an agreement with at least four employees given settlements in exchange for signing non-disclosure agreements regarding sexual harassment allegations, according to L. Jon Wertheim and Liv Bernstein of SI.com.

Richardson was accused of brushing women's breasts while he buckled their seatbelts for them, requesting to shave their legs and commenting on their backsides during the organization's "Jeans Day," according to the SI.com report. 

The Panthers owner announced last Friday that he would be selling the organization through a team statement:

The NFL will investigate Richardson's alleged actions, though an outside counsel has not yet been hired. Long-time Panthers employee Tina Becker has been serving as the COO following Richardson stepping away from day-to-day duties with the team.

As for the possibility of relocation, Lockhart seemed to suggest that was unlikely.

"The league, as we have said in a number of different contexts, our first choice is always for franchise stability," he said. "The franchise in Carolina has been successful both on the field and from a community impact."