CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Could the Carolina Panthers slogan, "Two states, one team", soon become a reality?
According to reports, owner David Tepper is set to visit with South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and other state leaders next week.
The team and political leaders will supposedly discuss incentives to try to lure a new practice facility to York County.
The rumored site is in Fort Mill at the former site of Charlotte Knights Stadium, about 15 miles south of Bank of America Stadium. It's poised right off I-77 and already zoned for a major mixed-use development.
None of the York County leaders would comment. A spokesperson for Gov. McMaster said, "The governor's office does not comment on potential economic development deals as a general practice."
However, McMaster has made some not-so-subtle references when talking about economic development.
"We will not fumble the football," he previously said.
So has the voice of the Panthers at a recent York County Chamber of Commerce meeting.
"What if I told you a state of the art facility was going to be built on a couple hundred acres not far from here?" said Mick Mixon.
NBC Charlotte requested copies of any emails the governor's office sent or received over the last six months containing the words "Carolina Panthers", "David Tepper", and "practice facility".
The governor's office said if those emails existed, they wouldn't release them, citing a state law that allows free negotiations in attracting businesses.
Fans said they'd love to be a fly on the wall for the talks.
"I would want to know the revenue they're going to bring down to the state of South Carolina, and more of what kind of perks and benefits we could get from it," said one man.