CHARLOTTE ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — Zawyer Sports & Entertainment, the current ownership group for the Gastonia Baseball Club , acquired a “controlling interest” in the Charlotte Checkers, the team announced on Monday.
Michael Kahn, the team’s current CEO who has held majority ownership since 2006, will still be the largest minority partner.
“We are excited to welcome the Charlotte Checkers to the Zawyer Sports family,” Zawyer Sports & Entertainment CEO Andy Kaufmann, said. “The Checkers are a team rich with history and an incredible fan base and we are honored to do our part in making Checkers Nation proud – not just on game days, but all year long in this very special community. We have already made an impact here in the community with Gastonia Baseball, and we are eager to grow our footprint in the region by providing local families with quality entertainment, community outreach and competitive hockey.”
Gastonia Baseball Club excelling on, and off, the field Panthers long snapper J.J. Jansen is among a group of partners with Zawyer Sports & Entertainment. Others include Kevin Harvick and Tim Tebow.
The team says Checkers’ day-to-day operations and front office staff won’t chase due to the ownership transfer. There also won’t be any change to the Checkers’ NHL affiliation with the Florida Panthers or the team’s as the primary tenant at Bojangles Coliseum.
“The Florida Panthers partnership with the Charlotte Checkers is pivotal in the development and compete level of our Panthers Pipeline and roster,” Florida Panthers Senior Vice President, Hockey Operations Paul Krepelka, said. “We are grateful to Michael Kahn for his time at the helm of our affiliate and can’t wait to welcome Zawyer Sports to Charlotte. Andy Kaufmann and his team have a proven track record that will continue to elevate this great franchise and provide opportunities for our athletes and staff.”
Fans see bright future for Gastonia Baseball Club despite season-opener loss In its first season under Zawyer Sports & Entertainment, Gastonia Baseball Club clinched a playoff birth with a 47-17 record, the best winning percentage (.730) in a single half in Atlantic League History.
Zawyer Sports also owns and operates three ECHL franchises- The Jacksonville Icemen, Taho Knight Monsters and the Checkers’ newest affiliate, the Savannah Ghost Pirates.
The Checkers’ first home game of the 2024-25 season will be played on Friday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. against the Cleveland Monsters. Team officials say season tickets and group plans are on sale now, with individual tickets and a full promotion schedule available in the coming weeks.
“The time is right to bring in a managing partner that will continue to grow and expand the Charlotte Checkers footprint and the Checkers’ commitment to the City of Charlotte,” Kahn said. “Andy Kaufmann and his team at Zawyer Sports & Entertainment are that partner. While I will remain involved and the entire front office staff will remain intact, the additional resources that Andy and Zawyer will bring to the organization as we continue to grow hockey in both Charlotte and the surrounding region are both numerous and exciting. Further, with the addition of several high-profile minority partners coming on board, sponsorship and opportunities will continue to increase. This is a monumental day for Charlotte Checkers hockey and one that makes the Checkers future very bright.”
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