CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The NFL is taking over the investigation of allegations of workplace misconduct by Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Sunday in an email to The Associated Press that the league will handle the investigation rather than the team, as originally planned.

The team announced Friday the 81-year Richardson was under investigation, but declined to provide any details. 

According to a report from Sports Illustrated, four employees received “significant” monetary payouts after they Richardson made inappropriate comments to them while at work. The report says the comments included a racial slur and “sexually suggestive language and behavior.” 

Team spokesman Steven Drummond said in a release that the Panthers take these allegations very seriously and are committed to a full investigation.

"We thought it would be best for transparency reasons," Drummond told The Associated Press.

Drummond also said Richardson was planning to attend Sunday's game against the Packers at Bank of America Stadium. Richardson has declined comment through the team while the investigation is ongoing.

Members of the organization have been mostly quiet on the situation, although coach Ron Rivera said in a statement he has "enormous respect for the man, but will wait for the results of the investigation before making any judgment."

Richardson, a former football player with the Baltimore Colts, is responsible for bringing the NFL to the Carolinas in 1993 when the Panthers joined the league as an expansion team.

The Panthers began play two years later in 1995.

It has been a whirlwind year for the organization.

Team president Danny Morrison abruptly resigned in February. Richardson then fired general manager Dave Gettleman on the eve of training camp and replaced him with former general manager Marty Hurney on an interim basis. It was a surprising move considering Carolina made the playoffs three times in four seasons under Gettleman.