When did the Carolina Panthers join the NFL? Tracing the league history of the expansion franchise

After six years of eager expectations, the Carolina Panthers finally received their NFL expansion club on October 26, 1993. The Panthers were chosen by the NFL owners in unanimity on this day to become the 29th club and the first expansion franchise since 1976.

The Carolina Panthers debuted in 1995 and played their first seven seasons in the NFC West division. In just their second season as a football team in 1996, they reached the NFC Championship game.

In addition to being competitive in their first season, the Panthers set a new NFL mark for the most victories by an expansion franchise with an amazing 7-9 record. In their second season, the Panthers made significant strides, capturing the NFC Western division with a 12-4 record and making it to the NFC championship game.

The NFL restructured its divisions in 2002 as the Houston Texans became an expansion franchise, moving Carolina to the NFC South.

The Panthers have competed in more than 300 games throughout their 27 years in the NFL, claiming six division championships—one in the NFC West and five in the NFC South.

Carolina's worst regular season performance came in 2001 when they went 1-15 and finished last in the NFL. Despite winning their first game, they suffered defeat in their remaining 15 contests.

In total, the franchise has had three 8-8 campaigns, 17 seasons where they recorded losing records, and seven seasons with winning records. They have a total record of 209 victories, 223 defeats, and one tie, including in postseason games.

Who owns the Carolina Panthers?

David Tepper is a billionaire hedge fund manager from the United States. He is the proprietor of the Charlotte FC soccer team and the NFL's Carolina Panthers. Appaloosa Management, a global hedge fund headquartered in Miami Beach, Florida, was founded and run by Tepper.

In May 2018, Tepper acquired the Carolina Panthers from Jerry Richardson, the team's founding owner, and president. Due to his $2.2 billion offer, which was at the time the biggest in NFL history, he defeated competition from Ben Navarro.

How many times have the Carolina Panthers been to the Super Bowl?

The Panthers are yet to claim their first championship in the Super Bowl. Although the Panthers have been to the Super Bowl twice, they failed to win on both occasions.