CHARLOTTE — On a half-hour virtual press conference with local media Wednesday afternoon, Panthers owner David Tepper expressed disappointment that Bank of America Stadium will not host fans in Week 1.

“Listen, I miss the fans,” Tepper said. “That’s what it’s about — it’s about winning and the fans.”

As indicated in the team’s statement on Monday, Tepper reiterated that the organization worked hard to craft a science-based plan that would allow the stadium to host a limited number of fans. But the organization will continue conversations with state officials, including those from the office of North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.

“I understand Cooper has a difficult job with this COVID from an optics standpoint and a science standpoint,” Tepper said. “I’m hopeful we’ll have continued conversations, the science will prevail, and we’ll have fans.”

Some of Tepper’s desire to get