Zawyer Sports + Entertainment, a privately held company specializing in minor-league sports and venues, has announced its upcoming majority ownership of the Charlotte Checkers. The transition, set to take effect on October 1, marks a significant milestone for the company led by CEO Andy Kaufmann.
Zawyer Sports recently expanded into baseball by acquiring GBA Investor, Gastonia Baseball Club, earlier this year. The team underwent a rebranding and restructuring process under Kaufmann's guidance.
The new ownership group, as Kaufmann detailed, will comprise 18 members, including notable figures such as retired NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick, former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, and Carolina Panthers long-snapper J.J. Jansen. Despite the change in ownership, the specific sale price and the exact ownership share were not disclosed.
Why it matters: Under the leadership of Kaufmann and his wife, Farrah — who named Zawyer Sports after their sons, Zachary and Sawyer — the company has made its mark in the sports world.
It owns and operates several East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) teams, including the Jacksonville Icemen, known for leading league attendance over the past two seasons.
Zawyer Sports also manages ECHL teams on behalf of various investment groups.
The acquisition of the Charlotte Checkers will mark Zawyer Sports' entry into the American Hockey League (AHL), the highest tier of minor-league hockey, comparable to Triple-A baseball. This new chapter signifies a promising future for the Checkers and the continued growth of Zawyer Sports + Entertainment in the sports industry.