As the NFL season approached, a die-hard fan expressed his excitement with a simple, yet passionate question: “Am I? As a loyal Panthers fan, I’m hype about this season.” That fan wasn’t just anyone; it was none other than Stephen Curry, a four-time NBA champion, whose allegiance to the Carolina Panthers runs deeper than most people know. His statement during the dismal 2012 NFL season, when the Panthers hit rock bottom with one of the worst records, wasn’t just a passing comment—it was a declaration of unwavering loyalty.

In the 12 years that followed, Curry’s dedication only grew stronger, cementing his status as a true member of Panther Nation. Whether it was attending live games with his wife, Ayesha, or lighting up social media with his reactions to key moments, Curry’s devotion to the Panthers became as much a part of his public persona as his lethal three-point shot. Even amidst the chaos of his own NBA seasons, Curry found time to immerse himself in football, forever donning the colors of the North Carolina franchise he holds dear.

And then, just weeks before the start of the new NFL season, Curry did what any fervent fan would do—he soaked up the thrill of game day. Among the roaring crowd at Allegiant Stadium in Nevada, there he was, the NBA superstar, grinning from ear to ear as the Panthers faced off against the Las Vegas Aces. Sitting beside Ayesha, Curry didn’t need to say a word to prove where his loyalty lay. The Carolina Panthers cap on his head said it all, but Curry wasn’t content with just silent support. He took to Instagram, rallying the Panther faithful with a message of unwavering optimism: “Shoutout to the Panther Nation. Keep pounding as always. You know I’m repping out here in Vegas watching the game. All love. Hopefully, get this done. Let’s get it. Keep pounding.”

The Panthers’ official X account didn’t miss a beat. Responding to Curry’s shoutout, they posted the clip of his message, saluting their most famous fan with a simple yet powerful reply: “Yes Chef 👨‍🍳 #KeepPounding.”

Having watched all these instances, one would certainly wonder where this support for the Panthers comes from. Therefore, without any further ado, let us find out.

Why does Stephen Curry like the Carolina Panthers?

He plays for the Bay Area, yet he supports a team whose home state lies across the other end of the United States map. However, that state lies very close to Stephen Curry’s heart. After all, he was born and brought up during the early years of his life in Akron, North Carolina. While the majority of his childhood would be spent in Charlotte, due to his father Dell Curry playing for the Hornets, it still didn’t stop Steph from appreciating his hometown, which led him to develop a liking for the Panthers!

As he continued to progress throughout his Warriors career, his growing number of fans kept catching on to just how much Curry loved the NFL franchise. As it turned out, supporting the team during its worst moments and attending the games live were just the tip of the iceberg. His support for the Panthers wasn’t dismissed even on special occasions, as the player was captured sporting a jersey even during the 2015 Thanksgiving Dinner. For anyone who wanted to know who the tattletale was, it was Ayesha!

Curry’s fanatic interest even reached the NBA court. In 2016, the official X account of Under Armour shared a picture of the Warriors star holding a customized pair of shoes, with the blue and white colorway representing the ones displayed on the Panthers’ athletes’ jerseys. The caption on top of the post read out “Put on for your city. @StephenCurry30 will rock his home team’s colors tomorrow night. #IWILL #SB50.”

The Panthers squad knows just how big of a fan the NBA player is, and they continue reciprocating that respect. Attending an NBA game, both Jonathan Stewart and Thomas Davis once posed alongside Curry whilst holding his iconic Number 30 jersey. In 2016, Curry was honored by the NFL team by allowing him to beat the team’s ‘Keep Pounding’ drum as the players took to the field.

Stephen Curry has revealed, on several instances, his superstitious nature. In an interview with ESPN Radio’s ‘Mike & Mike’, he highlighted how he is very conscious about what he does when it’s game day. From getting dressed and similarly eating the food to yelling out sayings in the locker room, he has a set schedule to ease his mind. The same, as it turns out, also applies when watching a Panthers game.

“100%,” said Curry when asked if he feels his outfit would have an impact on the Panthers’ Super Bowl game. “This past week I was sitting in a chair watching the NFC Championship game. That was my go-to chair. Everything was going great in the first half. I moved chairs for maybe five minutes and that’s when Cam [Newton] threw his interception. So, I ran back to the chair I was sitting in, and obviously you know what happened after that.”

For most fans, supporting a team by watching their games, complimenting the players, and even attending a few live matchups would be enough. However, given that his year-long NBA career allowed him to accumulate quite an impressive net worth, Curry may have thought “Why not take things a bit further?”

Did Stephen Curry attempt to buy the Carolina Panthers?

Back in March 2018, it was announced that Stephen Curry was amongst a group of individuals who were looking to secure an ownership stake in the Carolina Panthers. Led by billionaire businessman Michael Rubin, who was then a minority stakeholder in the Philadelphia 76ers as well, the group consisted of other renowned celebrities like Sean “Diddy” Combs.

The opportunity to make an offer came after reports that then-owner Jerry Richardson and the franchise, reportedly made multiple payouts for workplace misconduct. Curry and Diddy had already highlighted their intention to partner up on X (then Twitter). However, given that the rapper’s net worth stood at $820 million, while Curry reportedly had only $47.3 million in 2017, the involvement of Rubin was needed to make the dream a reality.

“It’s a pretty interesting opportunity,” said Curry in a statement. “I’ve had conversations with plenty of people about the right way to go about it and kind of the different approaches I could personally take. Obviously, I have a day job but I’ve got people that are plugged in and trying to see how to make that happen.”

In the end, the NFL franchise was sold off to hedge fund mogul David Tepper. Despite how things turned out, the experience in itself was “truly powerful” for the NBA player. Who knows, maybe he might have another go at it once his NBA tenure comes to a close.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.