Zawyer Sports & Entertainment

Zawyer Sports & Entertainment
TypePrivate
Industry
  • Sports management
Founded2018 (2018)
FounderAndy Kaufmann
Headquarters3605 Philips Hwy
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Area served
United States
Key people
  • Andy Kaufmann (Chief Executive Officer)
  • Scott Einhorn (President)
Services
  • Professional sports team ownership
  • League operations
  • Facility management
  • Sports marketing and branding
Divisions
  • Ice hockey operations
  • Baseball operations
  • Basketball operations
  • Soccer operations
  • Marketing and media
Subsidiaries
Websitewww.ZawyerSports.com

Zawyer Sports & Entertainment is an American sports management and entertainment company based in Jacksonville, Florida. It owns, operates, and manages professional teams in ice hockey, baseball, women's basketball, and soccer, along with related facilities and marketing ventures, primarily in the Southeastern United States.

History

Denis Tsaruk in goal for the Jacksonville Icemen
Denis Tsaruk in goal for the Jacksonville Icemen.

Founding (2018)

Zawyer Sports & Entertainment was founded in 2018 by Andy Kaufmann.[1] The company name is derived from the names of his sons, Zach and Sawyer. In July 2018, Kaufmann and a group of Jacksonville-based investors purchased the Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL, making the Icemen the only locally owned professional sports team in Jacksonville at the time.[2]

Early expansion (2019–2021)

In 2019, Zawyer expanded from single-team ownership into a multi-team management company by acquiring the Fort Myers Miracle, a High-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. Kaufmann, through Kaufy Baseball, LLC., took controlling interest, and the team was rebranded as the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels for the 2020 season.[3][4]

Growth of Hockey Operations (2022–2024)

Locations of teams owned or operated by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment
Multiple Baseball Basketball Hockey

Between 2022 and 2024, Zawyer expanded its hockey operations significantly. The company launched the Savannah Ghost Pirates in the ECHL, an expansion franchise approved in January 2021 that brought professional minor-league hockey to the new Savannah Arena (later Enmarket Arena) beginning with the 2022–23 ECHL season.[5]

In July 2024, Zawyer acquired a controlling interest in the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League, with longtime owner Michael Kahn retaining a minority stake.[6] In June 2025, Shawn Lynch was appointed president of the Checkers, succeeding Tera Black.[7]

In October 2024, the ECHL approved Zawyer’s expansion franchise in Greensboro, North Carolina, set to begin play in the 2025–26 season. The team was later named the Greensboro Gargoyles. The franchise is partly owned by former NHL players Paul Bissonnette, Ryan Whitney, and Keith Yandle of the Spittin' Chiclets podcast at Barstool Sports.[8][9][10]

Diversification of Ventures (2022–2025)

In January 2022, majority ownership of the Mighty Mussels transferred to John Martin, with Kaufy Baseball, LLC remaining as a principal owner under his management.[11]

Zawyer expanded beyond team ownership into facilities and related businesses. This includes the acquisition and operation of Community First Igloo, a multi-purpose ice facility in Jacksonville featuring ice sheets and training spaces.[12] In late 2022, Zawyer acquired C3 Media Group (later rebranded as 32 Degrees Marketing), expanding its marketing and creative services capabilities.

In addition to owned properties, Zawyer operates and consults for other sports ventures, including the Tahoe Knight Monsters[13], Augusta Lynx[14], Ghost Pirates Ice Cove, and Jacksonville Armada FC, with the latter under an operating partnership agreement. These engagements involve management of operations without full ownership.

Community First Park, early home of Jacksonville Armada FC
Community First Park, early home of Jacksonville Armada FC.

In 2024, Zawyer was awarded an expansion franchise in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in Gastonia, North Carolina, which became the Gastonia Ghost Peppers.[15]

In November 2025, Zawyer entered into a partnership with Jacksonville Armada FC. The partnership involves operational management, including ticketing, marketing, and stadium operations, while the club pursues entry into MLS NEXT Pro.[16] Zawyer also owns and operates a forthcoming SPHL franchise in Mobile, Alabama, the Mobile Mysticks, which will begin play in 2027. The team revives the name of the original Mobile Mysticks franchise that competed from 1995 to 2002.[17][18]

Launch of the UpShot League (2025–present)

In January 2025, Zawyer announced the creation of the UpShot League, a professional women's basketball league planned to begin in May 2026. The league is headquartered in Jacksonville and will include teams in Jacksonville, Savannah, Charlotte, and Greensboro, with expansions to Baltimore and Nashville planned for 2027. Former WNBA president Donna Orender serves as commissioner for the league.[19][20]

Sports properties

SportTeamLeagueRelationship
Ice hockeyJacksonville IcemenECHLOwner
Greensboro Gargoyles
Savannah Ghost Pirates
Augusta LynxOperator; part owner
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Charlotte CheckersAHLControlling interest
Mobile MysticksSPHLOwner
BaseballFort Myers Mighty MusselsSingle-AMinority owner (formerly majority)
Gastonia Ghost PeppersAtlantic LeagueOwner
Women's basketballCharlotte CrownUpShot LeagueOwner
Greensboro Groove
Jacksonville Waves
Savannah Steel
UpShot Baltimore
UpShot NashvilleOperator
SoccerJacksonville Armada FCMLS Next ProOperator

References

  1. ↑ "About Zawyer Sports & Entertainment". Zawyer Sports & Entertainment.
  2. ↑ Freeman, Clayton (16 July 2019). "New owner for ECHL's Icemen". Jacksonville.com. The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  3. ↑ "Fort Myers Miracle Undergo Ownership Change". BallparkDigest.com. Ballpark Digest. 8 January 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  4. ↑ "Zawyer Sports announces new president, management team to oversee Fort Myers Miracle". MiLB.com. Minor League Baseball. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  5. ↑ Dominitz, Nathan (27 January 2021). "Minor league ice hockey coming to Savannah's new arena". SavannahNow.com. Savannah Morning News. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  6. ↑ Adnado, Maria (15 July 2024). "Charlotte Checkers acquired by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment". CLTToday.6amCity.com. 6AM City Inc. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  7. ↑ Mahoney, Ashley (16 July 2025). "From intern to boss: New Checkers president ushers team into a new era". Axios.com. Axios Media, Inc. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  8. ↑ Stamps, Brayden (18 October 2024). "You can help name Greensboro's new minor league hockey team". MyFOX8.com. Nexstar Media Group, Inc. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  9. ↑ Reynolds, Dolan; Stamps, Brayden (14 January 2025). "Greensboro Pro Hockey Club now called Gargoyles". MyFOX8.com. Nexstar Media Group, Inc. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  10. ↑ Vernon, Jeremy (2025-01-14). "Gate City hockey gets new life as Greensboro Gargoyles unveiled". wfmynews2.com. Retrieved 2026-01-03.
  11. ↑ "John Martin Announced as Mighty Mussels' New Managing Partner". MiLB.com. Minor League Baseball. 16 February 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  12. ↑ Mendenhall, Mike (19 March 2021). "Icemen complete $6 million Jacksonville Ice & Sportsplex purchase". JaxDailyRecord.com. Jacksonville Daily Record. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  13. ↑ Kuehl, Tyler (16 July 2024). "Golden Knights announce ECHL affiliation with Tahoe Knight Monsters". DailyFaceoff.com. The Nation Network Ltd. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  14. ↑ "Official Site of The ECHL | The Augusta Lynx are back". ECHL. Retrieved 2026-05-27.
  15. ↑ Puente, Nathaniel (16 October 2024). "Gastonia Ghost Peppers announced as baseball team's new name". WCNC.com. WCNC-TV. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  16. ↑ Freeman, Clayton (19 November 2025). "Jacksonville Icemen ownership group could operate Armada. What's next for soccer club?". Jacksonville.com. The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  17. ↑ Lindahl, Jennifer (18 September 2025). "Pro hockey is coming back to Mobile, and you could name the team. What would you call it?". MontgomeryAdvertiser.com. Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  18. ↑ WALA Digital Staff (16 June 2026). "Mobile Mysticks are back: New pro hockey team unveils name and logo". FOX10TV.com. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
  19. ↑ Pearl, Wendy (30 January 2025). "Women's Pro Basketball Welcomes New League UPSHOT". Pollstar.com. Pollstar. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  20. ↑ Perez, Sam (9 April 2026). "Nashville getting its own professional women's basketball team". WBIR.com. WBIR. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
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