Tim Tebow, Kevin Harvick among new controlling ownership group of AHL’s Charlotte Checkers

Some big names from around the sporting world are expanding their footprint in the game of hockey.

On Monday, the Charlotte Checkers, American Hockey League affiliate of the Florida Panthers, announced that Zawyer Sports & Entertainment (ZSE) has received the controlling interest of the team.

In a release from the team, team CEO Michael Kahn, who has been the team’s majority owner since 2006, then known as the Albany River Bandits, will remain as the largest minority partner.

“We are excited to welcome the Charlotte Checkers to the Zawyer Sports family,” ZSE 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 are eager to grow our footprint in the region by providing local families with quality entertainment, community outreach and competitive hockey.”

The Checkers’ current business operations and front office staff will not change as a result of the transfer.

This is not ZSE’s first endeavor in the world of hockey. The group currently owns three ECHL franchises–the Jacksonville Icemen, the Savannah Ghost Pirates and expansion Tahoe Knight Monsters. The Ghost Pirates were revealed as the Checkers’ and Panthers’ new ECHL affiliate back in June.

There are a few current and active athletes that are prominent partners with Zawyer. Former NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick, Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, and NFL linebacker Myles Jack, among others. Tebow is of the front-facing owners of the Knight Monsters, who are set to begin play next season.

The AHL Board of Governors approved the ownership transaction during their annual meetings last week.

“On behalf of our Board of Governors, I would like to thank Michael Kahn for his excellent stewardship of the Charlotte Checkers franchise in our league over the last 14 years,” American Hockey League President and CEO Scott Howson said. “We are very excited to welcome Andy Kaufmann and Zawyer Sports, and we look forward to working with him as he continues to build on the success of the Checkers.”