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Bank
of America Stadium - Also
known as Ericsson Stadium
The ground used to be known as Ericsson Stadium
between March 1995 and July 2006 before Changing to
Bank of America Stadium
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Bank Of
America Stadium
Ericsson Inc. bought the naming rights, and the
stadium was named Ericsson Stadium. In January
2004, the Panthers and Bank of America agreed on
a 20 year deal to rename Ericsson Stadium, Bank
of America Stadium. When it opened it became one
of only a few stadiums to be financed privately
by the owners of the club. Bank of America
Stadium was not complete in time for the 1995
season. The Panthers had to play their inaugural
season at Memorial Stadium, home of the Clemson
Tigers (NCAA). |
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Bank
of America Stadium was completed for the start of
the 1996 season. The Carolina Panthers played their
first game at the stadium on September 14, 1996.
Bank of America Stadium is one of the NFL's premier
stadiums from the outside to inside. Located right
outside of downtown Charlotte, the facade of Bank of
America Stadium is very unique. It consists of
massive archways and domed towers. Bank of America
Stadium features a striking black obsidian granite
facade. A pair of black panthers, each
eight-feet-tall, and weighing 2,000 pounds, perched
on ten-foot pedestals, are located on both sides of
each of the three 80-foot arched entrances. The
48-foot diameter light domes atop the entry towers
are lit every night. The exterior looks like many
other notable stadiums, such as Soldier Field. Bank
of America Stadium consists of over 73,000 blue and
silver seats in three tiers that circle the playing
field. The stadium has many amenities, including the
Bank of America club and 158 luxury suites. Two
massive scoreboards are located atop the upper deck
past each end zone. Bank of America Stadium also
includes three practice facilities, training
facilities, and administrative offices. The Panthers
hope to have years of success at Bank of America
Stadium.
Ericsson
Stadium features a striking black obsidian granite façade
and a silver and blue seating bowl. A pair of black
panthers, each eight-feet-tall, perched on ten-foot
pedestals and named Indomitable Spirit, guard both sides
of each of the three 80-foot arched entrances.
The 48-foot diameter light domes atop the entry towers
are lit every night and are visible for miles around.
Ericsson Stadium raises the bar
for football stadium design and marks a return to the
grand architecture of early collegiate and Olympic stadiums.
The ornate, imposing exterior is reminiscent of such
notable landmarks as Chicago’s Soldier Field, the Los
Angeles Coliseum and Ohio State Stadium.
Carolina Panthers Preview
The 2006 season didn’t see the predictions come true
– the Carolina Panthers placed 2nd in the NFC South
and missed the playoffs. That makes 2007 do or die
for the team, and theyare ready to step it up. QB
Jake Delhomme leads what some consider to be a weak
offense, despite star player Steve Smith’s best
efforts, but coach John Fox is betting that aging
players Mike Rucker, Dan Morgan and Mike Minter
still have plenty of fight left in them and they’ll
be helped by draft picks Jon Beason, Dwayne Jarret
and Ryan Kalil.
Some Carolina Panthers history: When the National
Football League expanded to the southeastern coast,
it did not take the Carolina Panthers long to prove
that the NFL had made the right decision. In 1995,
the team won seven games, the most ever by an NFL
expansion team. During the season the Panthers
defeated the San Francisco 49ers to become the first
expansion team ever to beat a defending league
champion.
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