Zawyer Sports & Entertainment Aquire Controlling Interest Of The Charlotte Checkers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (News Release) – The Charlotte Checkers today announced that Zawyer Sports & Entertainment has acquired a controlling interest in the team. Michael Kahn, the team’s current CEO who has held majority ownership since 2006, will remain as the largest minority partner. Prominent partners in Zawyer’s group include NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick, Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, NFL linebacker Myles Jack, Carolina Panthers long-snapper J.J. Jansen and Fox NASCAR analyst Regan Smith.

“We are excited to welcome the Charlotte Checkers to the Zawyer Sports family,” said Zawyer Sports & Entertainment CEO Andy Kaufmann. “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.”

There will be no change to the team’s NHL affiliation with the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers or to the team’s status as the primary tenant at Bojangles Coliseum. The American Hockey League Board of Governors approved the transaction at their annual meetings last week.

“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,” said Kahn. “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.”