The Charlotte city council has voted to provide $87.5 million in upgrades to the Carolina Panthers' 17-year-old stadium. The agreement comes in exchange for a commitment to remain in Charlotte for at least another six years.

Some speakers at the meeting had called the deal a form of corporate welfare and that the Panthers had the money to make the improvements without taxpayer money.

Owners Jerry Richardson told the council that it was important to keep the Panthers in Charlotte.

"My interest is to guarantee the future of this franchise in the Carolinas. I've made it clear that I would never move the team," he said.