NFL team owner investigated for misconduct

The Carolina Panthers NFL franchise founder and owner Jerry Richardson is under investigation for workplace misconduct.

The team said on Friday that former White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles is overseeing the investigation by a Los Angeles-based law firm.

Team spokesman Steven Drummond said in a release that the Panthers and the 81-year-old Richardson take these allegations very seriously and are fully committed to a full investigation and taking appropriate steps to address and remediate any misconduct.

"The entire organisation is fully committed to ensuring a safe, comfortable and diverse work environment where all individuals, regardless of sex, race, colour, religion, gender, or sexual identity or orientation, are treated fairly and equally," Drummond said in the release. "We have work to do to achieve this goal, but we are going to meet it."

Richardson was unavailable for comment.

Drummond told The Associated Press because the matter is under legal review, the Panthers cannot comment publicly on the specifics of the allegations.

The Panthers made the NFL aware on Friday that they have initiated an investigation into Richardson's alleged workplace misconduct.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league has no comment at this time.