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Already one of the NFL's highest-revenue teams, the Carolina Panthers are adding to the kitty with a unique luxury-seating plan dubbed Suite 87.
The area, named for owner Jerry Richardson's uniform number during his playing days, is a 138-seat private club and luxury suite in the east end zone at Ericsson Stadium. Local architect David Wagner is designing the space, a $1.25 million area scheduled to open for the 2001 season.
The concept is a new one for National Football League teams, though the Washington Redskins have included some similar elements at FedEx Field. An invitation-only luncheon this month sold 54 of the 138 spaces, and the rest will be marketed through word-of-mouth and walk-throughs at the stadium.
As with most things in pro football, the luxury - including a bar, billiards room, hardwood floors and 14 large TVs showing every NFL game in progress - doesn't come cheap. Members must buy two seats or more, Each seat carries a $9,500 membership fee and a $4,250 annual fee for tickets. That means the Panthers will reap $1.3 million from...