░B░R░E░A░K░I░N░G ░B░R░E░A░ 🅱️🆁🅴🅰️🅺🅸🅽🅶 ░B░R░E░A░K░I░N░G 🅱️🆁🅴🅰️🅺🅸🅽🅶 ░B░R░E░A░K░I░N░G: FEW MINUTES AGO :The house of Florida panthers has acquired a controlling stake in. This is the first case in panthers under capacities of coach Paul Maurice where the team gain control over the solidifying position as…

In a landmark move for the organization, the Florida Panthers have acquired a controlling stake in their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. This development, announced just minutes ago, marks the first instance in Panthers history under the leadership of head coach Paul Maurice where the team has gained direct control over its primary minor league operations.

The acquisition, facilitated through the Panthers’ parent company Sunrise Sports & Entertainment, allows the NHL franchise to oversee the day-to-day management, player development, and strategic direction of the Checkers. Sources close to the deal indicate that the Panthers purchased the stake from Zawyer Sports & Entertainment, the Jacksonville-based group that had held majority ownership since July 2024. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but industry analysts estimate the value of the controlling interest to be in the range of $20-30 million, reflecting the growing importance of integrated farm systems in professional hockey.

“This is a game-changer for our organization,” said Panthers General Manager Bill Zito in a hastily convened press conference. “By bringing the Checkers fully under our umbrella, we can streamline talent pipelines, implement consistent coaching philosophies, and accelerate the growth of our prospects. Under Coach Maurice’s guidance, we’ve built a championship culture, and this move ensures that ethos extends from the NHL all the way down to our development leagues.”

Paul Maurice, who took the helm of the Panthers in June 2022, has overseen one of the most successful eras in franchise history, including back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 2024 and 2025. However, until now, the team’s influence over its AHL affiliate has been limited to affiliation agreements, with ownership residing elsewhere. This shift represents a strategic evolution, aligning the Panthers with a growing number of NHL teams—like the Vegas Golden Knights with the Henderson Silver Knights or the Toronto Maple Leafs with the Toronto Marlies—that own and operate their minor league counterparts.

The Checkers, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, have been the Panthers’ AHL affiliate since the 2020-21 season. The team has produced key contributors to Florida’s recent success, including forwards like Anton Lundell and Mackas Svejkovsky, who honed their skills in Charlotte before making the jump to the NHL. With direct control, the Panthers plan to invest in enhanced facilities, scouting, and analytics at the AHL level, potentially fostering even stronger synergies.

Zawyer Sports & Entertainment, led by CEO Andrew Kaufmann, had expanded rapidly in the minor league space, acquiring the Checkers as part of a broader push into Carolina sports markets. Their portfolio includes ECHL teams like the Jacksonville Icemen and Savannah Ghost Pirates, both of which have had affiliation ties with the Panthers. In a statement, Kaufmann expressed support for the transition: “We’re proud of what we’ve built with the Checkers and excited to see the Panthers take this next step. This deal allows us to focus on our other ventures while ensuring the team’s continued success.”

This acquisition comes amid Zawyer’s ongoing expansion in North Carolina, as highlighted in recent reports of their investments in professional hockey, basketball, and baseball in the region. For the Panthers, however, it signals a commitment to vertical integration, a model that has proven effective in sustaining dynasties in the salary-cap era.

Fans and analysts alike are buzzing about the implications. “Gaining control over the farm system gives the Panthers an edge in player development,” noted NHL insider Elliotte Friedman. “Under Maurice, who’ve emphasized grit and system play, this could mean more seamless transitions for young talent, keeping Florida competitive for years to come.”

The move is expected to be ratified by the AHL Board of Governors in the coming days, with no immediate changes to the Checkers’ operations anticipated for the current season. As the Panthers prepare for their next game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, this off-ice victory underscores their ambition to build not just a team, but an enduring hockey empire.