CHARLOTTE — A standard Tuesday morning at Bank of America Stadium turned into a viral comedy sketch when an unskippable FanDuel advertisement hijacked a question directed at Carolina Panthers executive vice president Brandt Tilis. The glitch occurred mid-sentence as a local reporter tried to ask about the team’s 2026 draft strategy, leaving Tilis and the gathered media in stitches.
The vibe in the room was professional and focused as Tilis discussed the “building to sustaining” phase of the Panthers’ roster. That changed when Dennis Cox, a veteran voice from ESPN’s 99.9 The Fan, unmuted his mic to chime in. Instead of a question about Bryce Young’s development, the speakers blasted a high-energy promo for FanDuel. The ad didn’t just play; it looped. Every time the PR staff tried to move to the next reporter, the gambling pitch cut back in like a persistent telemarketer.
Tilis initially looked like he’d seen a ghost. He tilted his head, eyes widening as the audio drowned out the room. Then, the absurdity hit. He broke into a wide grin, leaning back as the “unskippable” ad ran its course. It was a rare, raw moment of levity for a front office that has spent the last month grinding through free agency and major trades, including the recent departure of veteran Andy Dalton to the Eagles.
The irony wasn’t lost on the fans. On X, @MrPoppaWillie joked that the reporter had “unskippable ads” before he could even speak. Others pointed out that Tilis handled the chaos with the same cool composure he’s used to navigate the $263 million salary cap reality of 2026. Seeing a high-ranking executive just sit there and laugh at a technical fail made the usually stiff corporate atmosphere feel human again.
“That’s on me! The mic feed was coming through wrong. Props to Tilis for locking back in after this.”
— Dennis Cox, 99.9 The Fan / WRAL
While the glitch stole the headlines, the actual football talk was just as loud. Tilis confirmed the team remains committed to Bryce Young, especially after picking up his fifth-year option earlier this January. With the No. 19 overall pick in the upcoming draft, the focus is clearly on surrounding Young with more pass-catchers. The Panthers currently hold the fifth-cheapest receiving corps in the league, a stat Tilis seems eager to change before the summer heat hits training camp.
The team is currently in a “sustaining” mode, having recently added defensive firepower like Jaelen Phillips. However, the lack of an immediate contract extension for Young suggests the 2026 season is the ultimate litmus test. If the Panthers can’t climb out of the NFC South cellar this year, no amount of funny viral clips will save the current regime. Tilis has built the foundation; now he has to hope the results aren’t as glitched as Tuesday’s audio feed.
