MINNEAPOLIS _ When Bank of America Stadium opened in 1996, the Carolina Panthers didn't imagine that fans would pay hundreds of dollars for a seat behind the player's bench, with a blocked view of the field.
But today, teams are building stadiums with field-level suites, where fans' feet touch the grass or artificial turf, close to the sounds, smells and (sometimes) sights of the NFL.
Teams in Atlanta, Minnesota, Dallas and New York have built $1 billion stadiums that include field-level suites, one way for them to squeeze more money from fans.
League insiders, and local business leaders, believe that new Panthers owner David Tepper will compare Bank of America Stadium with the NFL's newest stadiums, and decide whether more renovations _ or a new stadium _ are needed.
Tepper has not yet discussed business with city officials, said Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, who had a welcome phone call with the new owner.
Bank of America Stadium is one of the NFL's oldest but still considered a good venue. The team recently finished a $178 million renovation that began in 2013. It's the 17th most lucrative stadium, according to Forbes.
The Observer traveled to Minneapolis to tour the Minnesota Vikings new home, U.S. Bank Stadium, and a new practice facility and headquarters that cost $125 million.
The $1.1 billion stadium has meant more money for the team. While they were playing in their old home, the Metrodome, the Vikings ranked second to the bottom of the 32-team NFL in stadium-generated revenue, according to Forbes. U.S. Bank Stadium now ranks as the No. 16 most lucrative, according to the magazine.
The biggest difference between Bank of America Stadium and U.S. Bank Stadium is obvious: The Vikings' stadium has a roof.
If Charlotte wanted an indoor stadium, it would be cheaper to build a new one, experts say. But the team could add many features to Bank of America Stadium without starting from scratch.
Unlike the Panthers' stadium, U.S. Bank Stadium was built more for the casual fan.
Open areas offer fans a view of the field. One club has couches and modern, silver tables for drinks and food. TVs showing the game line the stadium's concourses.
"These stadiums are more like a cruise ship," said Max Muhleman, who helped create the Personal Seat License concept in the early 1990s that helped pay for Panthers' stadium. "It's like a cruise ship where you walk around and say, 'Do you want Chinese food or do you want to play ping pong?' You can also watch the game."
