Zawyer Sports & Entertainment
Zawyer Sports & Entertainment is a privately held American sports ownership, management, facilities, marketing, and entertainment company.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Zawyer Sports & Entertainment is an American sports and entertainment company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. Founded in 2018 by Andy Kaufmann, the company began with the acquisition of the Jacksonville Icemen, an ECHL ice hockey team, and subsequently developed into a multi-property sports platform. Its activities include owning, operating, managing, and advising professional sports teams, as well as running sports facilities and providing marketing and creative services. The company has concentrated much of its activity in the Southeastern United States. Its portfolio and operating relationships have included professional ice hockey, minor-league baseball, women's basketball, soccer, and sports-related venues. In hockey, Zawyer launched the Savannah Ghost Pirates, acquired a controlling interest in the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League, and received approval for an expansion ECHL franchise in Greensboro, North Carolina, later named the Greensboro Gargoyles. It has also been associated with facilities and hockey ventures such as Community First Igloo and Ghost Pirates Ice Cove, and has operated or consulted for additional hockey properties including the Tahoe Knight Monsters and the Augusta Lynx. Zawyer's baseball activities began with the 2019 acquisition of a controlling interest in the Fort Myers Miracle, a High-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. The club was rebranded as the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels for the 2020 season. Although majority ownership later transferred to John Martin, Kaufy Baseball, LLC remained a principal owner under its management. The company also received an Atlantic League expansion franchise in Gastonia, North Carolina, which became the Gastonia Ghost Peppers. Beyond team ownership, Zawyer has expanded into venue operations, sports consulting, ticketing, marketing, stadium operations, and creative services. Its acquisition of C3 Media Group in late 2022, followed by the business's rebranding as 32 Degrees Marketing, broadened the company's marketing capabilities. A partnership with Jacksonville Armada FC added operational responsibilities involving ticketing, marketing, and stadium operations while the soccer club pursued a potential path into MLS NEXT Pro. In 2025, Zawyer announced the UpShot League, a planned professional women's basketball competition headquartered in Jacksonville and scheduled to begin play in May 2026. The initial plan called for teams in Jacksonville, Savannah, Charlotte, and Greensboro, with Baltimore and Nashville identified as prospective expansion markets for 2027. Donna Orender, a former president of the WNBA, was named commissioner. Zawyer has also announced a forthcoming Southern Professional Hockey League franchise in Mobile, Alabama, the Mobile Mysticks, scheduled to begin play in 2027. Overall, the company positions itself as an integrated sports platform combining franchise investment, day-to-day management, venue development, league creation, and commercial services.
History
Zawyer Sports & Entertainment was established in 2018 by Andy Kaufmann in Jacksonville, Florida. The name combines the names of Kaufmann's sons, Zach and Sawyer. The company's first major transaction came in July 2018, when Kaufmann and a group of Jacksonville investors purchased the Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL. At the time, the Icemen were described as Jacksonville's only locally owned professional sports team. In 2019, Zawyer moved beyond a single hockey property by acquiring a controlling interest in the Fort Myers Miracle, a High-A baseball affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. The team was renamed the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels for the 2020 season. In January 2022, majority ownership transferred to John Martin, although Kaufy Baseball, LLC continued as a principal owner under its management. This arrangement reflected Zawyer's broader role as an operator and sports-property manager rather than only a direct franchise owner. The company expanded its hockey portfolio during the early 2020s. An ECHL expansion franchise for Savannah was approved in January 2021, and the Savannah Ghost Pirates began play in the 2022–23 season at Savannah Arena, subsequently known as Enmarket Arena. Zawyer also acquired and operated Community First Igloo, a multipurpose ice facility in Jacksonville offering ice sheets and training areas. In late 2022, it acquired C3 Media Group, which was later renamed 32 Degrees Marketing. That transaction extended the company's activities into marketing, creative production, and commercial support for sports organizations. Zawyer's later growth included both ownership and operating partnerships. In July 2024, it acquired a controlling interest in the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League, with longtime owner Michael Kahn retaining a minority position. The ECHL approved another Zawyer expansion franchise in Greensboro, North Carolina, in October 2024. The club was subsequently named the Greensboro Gargoyles and scheduled to begin play in the 2025–26 season. The Greensboro ownership group also included former NHL players Paul Bissonnette, Ryan Whitney, and Keith Yandle, associated with the Spittin' Chiclets podcast at Barstool Sports. The company's portfolio and management relationships have extended beyond its directly controlled teams. Zawyer has operated or consulted for the Tahoe Knight Monsters, Augusta Lynx, Ghost Pirates Ice Cove, and Jacksonville Armada FC. Its relationship with Jacksonville Armada FC involves operational management, including ticketing, marketing, and stadium operations, while the soccer club pursues entry into MLS NEXT Pro. Zawyer was also awarded an Atlantic League of Professional Baseball expansion franchise in Gastonia, North Carolina, which became the Gastonia Ghost Peppers. In 2025, Zawyer announced two further growth initiatives. The first was the UpShot League, a planned professional women's basketball league headquartered in Jacksonville. The initial four markets were Jacksonville, Savannah, Charlotte, and Greensboro, with Baltimore and Nashville identified as possible 2027 expansion locations. Former WNBA president Donna Orender was appointed commissioner, and the league was planned to start in May 2026. The second was a forthcoming Southern Professional Hockey League franchise in Mobile, Alabama, called the Mobile Mysticks and scheduled to begin play in 2027. The name revives that of a Mobile hockey franchise that competed from 1995 to 2002. Taken together, Zawyer's development shows a progression from local ECHL ownership to a diversified sports-services platform. Its business model combines franchise investment, venue operations, league formation, team administration, ticketing, marketing, creative services, and consulting across several professional sports. The company's publicly described footprint remains primarily regional, especially in the Southeast, although its management and consulting relationships extend to properties outside Florida and the Carolinas.
- 2025
UpShot League announced
[1]Zawyer announced a planned professional women's basketball league with an intended May 2026 launch.
- 2025
Mobile Mysticks announced
[1]The company announced a forthcoming SPHL franchise in Mobile, Alabama, scheduled to begin play in 2027.
- 2024
Charlotte Checkers controlling interest acquired
[1]Zawyer became the controlling owner of the AHL's Charlotte Checkers, with Michael Kahn retaining a minority stake.
- 2024
Greensboro ECHL franchise approved
[1]The ECHL approved a Zawyer expansion team in Greensboro, later named the Greensboro Gargoyles.
- 2022
Savannah Ghost Pirates begin play
[1]The Ghost Pirates began ECHL competition in the 2022–23 season.
- 2022
Expansion into marketing and creative services
[1]Zawyer acquired C3 Media Group, later rebranded as 32 Degrees Marketing.
- 2021
Savannah ECHL franchise approved
[1]The ECHL approved a Zawyer expansion franchise for Savannah, which became the Savannah Ghost Pirates.
- 2019
Entry into minor-league baseball
[1]Zawyer acquired a controlling interest in the Fort Myers Miracle, later renamed the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels.
- 2018
Company founded and Jacksonville Icemen acquired
[1]Andy Kaufmann founded Zawyer Sports & Entertainment and, with Jacksonville investors, acquired the ECHL's Jacksonville Icemen.
Products and positioning
An integrated regional sports platform that combines professional-team ownership, franchise management, venue operations, sports marketing, and the creation of new leagues and properties.
ECHL ice hockey team · 2018
Jacksonville Icemen
The Jacksonville Icemen were Zawyer's founding sports property. Acquired in 2018, the ECHL team established the company's Jacksonville base and served as the starting point for its subsequent multi-team ownership and management strategy.
ECHL ice hockey team · 2022
Savannah Ghost Pirates
The Savannah Ghost Pirates are an ECHL expansion franchise launched through Zawyer's growth in professional hockey. The team began play in the 2022–23 season and plays in Savannah, Georgia, at the arena later known as Enmarket Arena.
American Hockey League team · 2024
Charlotte Checkers
The Charlotte Checkers are an AHL hockey team in which Zawyer acquired a controlling interest in 2024. The transaction retained longtime owner Michael Kahn as a minority stakeholder and expanded Zawyer's presence into the upper tier of North American minor-league hockey.
Minor-league baseball team · 2019
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels are a High-A baseball franchise formerly known as the Fort Myers Miracle. Zawyer acquired a controlling interest in 2019 and introduced the Mighty Mussels identity for the 2020 season. Majority ownership later transferred to John Martin, while Kaufy Baseball, LLC remained a principal owner under its management.
Atlantic League baseball team · 2024
Gastonia Ghost Peppers
The Gastonia Ghost Peppers are an Atlantic League expansion franchise in Gastonia, North Carolina. Zawyer was awarded the franchise in 2024 as part of its continuing expansion into professional baseball and sports properties in the Southeast.
Professional women's basketball league · 2026
UpShot League
The UpShot League is a planned professional women's basketball league announced by Zawyer in 2025. Its initial concept includes teams in Jacksonville, Savannah, Charlotte, and Greensboro, with Baltimore and Nashville identified as potential 2027 expansion markets. The planned launch date is May 2026.
Multipurpose ice facility
Community First Igloo
Community First Igloo is a Jacksonville ice and training facility operated by Zawyer. It provides multiple ice sheets and related practice spaces, extending the company's activities from team ownership into venue operations and sports participation infrastructure.
Sports marketing and creative services · 2022
32 Degrees Marketing
32 Degrees Marketing is the rebranded successor to C3 Media Group, acquired by Zawyer in late 2022. It represents the company's marketing, creative, and media-services capability for sports properties and related commercial ventures.
SPHL ice hockey team
Mobile Mysticks
The Mobile Mysticks are a forthcoming Southern Professional Hockey League franchise announced by Zawyer for Mobile, Alabama. The team is planned to begin play in 2027 and revives the name of a Mobile hockey franchise that competed from 1995 through 2002.
Brand decisions
2025
UpShot League announcedProduct launchBackground
Zawyer sought to diversify into women's professional basketball and create a new league centered on Southeastern markets.
Action taken
The company announced the UpShot League, planned for a May 2026 launch with four initial markets and Donna Orender as commissioner.
Aftermath
The announcement extended Zawyer's activities from team ownership and management into league creation.
2024
Controlling interest acquired in the Charlotte CheckersM&ABackground
Zawyer continued to scale its hockey operations across the Southeast and sought a larger professional property in the AHL.
Action taken
Zawyer acquired a controlling interest in the Charlotte Checkers, while Michael Kahn retained a minority stake.
Aftermath
The deal added an AHL franchise to Zawyer's hockey portfolio and increased its operational scope.
2022
Acquisition and rebranding of C3 Media GroupM&ABackground
Zawyer sought capabilities beyond franchise ownership, particularly in sports marketing and creative production.
Action taken
The company acquired C3 Media Group and later operated it under the 32 Degrees Marketing name.
Aftermath
The transaction added marketing and creative services to Zawyer's integrated sports-business platform.
2021
Creation of the Savannah Ghost PiratesProduct launchBackground
Savannah was developing a new arena and the ECHL approved an expansion opportunity for the market.
Action taken
Zawyer launched an expansion franchise that became the Savannah Ghost Pirates.
Aftermath
The team began play in the 2022–23 ECHL season, broadening Zawyer's hockey footprint beyond Jacksonville.
2018
Acquisition of the Jacksonville IcemenM&ABackground
Zawyer was created as a Jacksonville-centered sports ownership company and needed an anchor property for its operating model.
Action taken
Andy Kaufmann and local investors purchased the ECHL's Jacksonville Icemen.
Aftermath
The acquisition established Zawyer's presence in professional sports and became the foundation for later expansion into additional teams and services.
Sources1 sources
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