NFL Fan-bases in NC: Why Not Panthers?

For years, it seems like the Carolina Panthers have been getting more and more unpopular. Will they make a comeback next season? Or will they fall even further into obscurity?

Zeb McGougan and Michael Green • Mar 19, 2025

Photo by Zeb McGougan

Living in North Carolina, one would expect the majority of NFL fans to be in love with the Carolina Panthers. After the retirement of many star players like Cam Newton, Greg Olsen and Ted Ginn Jr., as well as coaching and ownership problems from David Tepper, it seems like the only thing Carolina will keep pounding is the bottom of the charts.

In the 2024-25 season, the Carolina Panthers had a 5-12 record, landing them tied for last place in their division. A year before, the Panthers racked up a horrific 2-15. To many fans, this was a far cry from their Super Bowl days almost nine years ago. With inconsistencies in coaching, uncertainty in the quarterback position, and an almost universally-disliked owner (David Tepper), it seemed like the Panthers were destined to be in the whole they are in now. In Brunswick County and its surrounding areas, the Panthers fanbase is in a definite drought.

Fans have blamed most aspects of the team for their downfall. From the coaching staff, to the team’s morale, to the lack of skilled players, it seems like every part of the team has been scrutinized. However, many fans blame one man: the owner of the Panthers, David Tepper.

“My favorite NFL team is the Panthers, and I’ll always love how cool they look as a team, but David Tepper is the worst owner ever.” said freshman Julian Bartone. “The losses they’ve suffered are totally his fault for such bad trades. He’s traded our best players like Brian Burns, Gref Olsen and Cam Newton, and we aren’t getting them back.”

There’s no doubt that the downfall of the fanbase has something to do with the recent plummet in skill and organization of the team. Carolina fans want to see them succeed like they did in the past with their star quarterback, and according to teacher Walter Finnigan, it will be a long way to go.

“They need a lot of help, offensively and defensively,” said Finnigan. “If I was the coach, I’d start with their morale. They aren’t very organized as a team, and if they were, they’d be much better than they are. From there, I’d try to extend the reach of our fans outside of Charlotte because that’s exclusively where they have been advertising themselves.”

Across the Carolinas, many people consider the Panthers a “second team.” If their favorite team is not on the TV, then The Panthers are their second choice. In Brunswick County, there are many people not native to North Carolina–many are tourists or transplants, people who have moved for job opportunities or retirement.

“My favorite NFL team is the Baltimore Ravens, but the Panthers are my second favorite team,” said freshman Camden Greensfelder. “People in NC might not like the Panthers because many people move from other places down to here, so they’re naturally keeping to their own teams and putting the Panthers to the side.”

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About the Contributors

Zeb McGougan, Staff Writer

15 year old Freshman, Zeb McGougan, was born in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina and grew up in Charleston, South Carolina until he was seven years old. He and his family moved to Shallotte, North Carolina where the rest of his family lived. Zeb has a twin brother, Jax, who he loves to argue with and a younger sister, Hadley, who is seven. First semester of his freshman year he was a member of the West Brunswick Cross Country team. “Growing up, I have always been nervous to start or participate in new things like sports or clubs, but I decided to give the Cross Country team a try,” said McGougan. “I enjoyed the challenge and was glad to be part of the team.” When he isn’t at school or practice he enjoys playing video games and watching tv. In his free time, he likes to run in his neighborhood and read his favorite books. His favorite foods are spaghetti and chocolate eclair. After high school, Zeb wants to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He plans to pursue a degree in medicine because he has an interest in health science and wants to help others. Zeb is excited about being part of the West Wind because he wants to experience all that high school has to offer and meet new people.

Michael Green, Staff Writer

Michael Green is a 16-year-old Junior in his first semester of journalism. In school, he tries his best to keep good grades as well as being a member of Drama Club. In fact, he was introduced to Journalism through someone interviewing him before a Drama Club performance, signing up for the class the semester after. Despite his newly found busy schedule, he often likes shopping and generally wandering around places with his friends, as well as music. Green was born in Shallotte, NC and raised mostly in Supply. However, for around four years he had moved to Roanoke, VA. He moved back in February of 2024. “It was a rough time for me and my family,” said Green. “I didn’t let that discourage me from meeting new friends and reconnecting with old ones.” In his freshman year, Green became interested in acting and joined the Drama Club in his High School. When he inevitably returned to Brunswick County the next year, he joined the Drama Club at West Brunswick. Since then, he has done tech work and acting alike to help the drama club, even playing The Dentist in the 2024 production of Little Shop of Horrors. “[WBHS Theater] is a lot smaller than the theater program I had in Virginia,” said Green. “I can still tell, though, that there’s the same amount of passion and love for the craft.”