Kitchener Panthers seeking new long-term owner

KITCHENER - The Kitchener Panthers are looking for a new owner or ownership group.

The one caveat of the deal is that whomever comes on board as an owner must keep the team in Waterloo Region, where the team has been for the last 105 years.

"We strongly feel with new ownership or a new ownership group, there will be a significant injection of capital," said general manager Mike Boehmer. "We definitely need better marketing. There are things that we see that we've fallen behind with some of the other franchises - Hamilton, Welland for example - and we feel new ownership can really take us to the next level. We're excited about this, and we see it as a real positive."

The hope is to have a new owner in place by Christmas time. No changes will be made for the remainder of the 2024 season, as the team presses for a playoff spot and a deep playoff run.

Sports marketing agency Cosmos Sports & Entertainment will be fielding inquiries for a new owner.

They were the same agency who helped facilitate the sale of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2023, and are helping the Guelph Royals look for additional partners.

Anyone who would like to inquire about the Panthers sale is asked to contact panthers@cosmossports.com directly.

SEE THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW

"To our Kitchener Panthers players, families, volunteers, and community partners,

For more than a century, the Kitchener Panthers have been a cornerstone of Ontario’s Intercounty Baseball League (IBL), a staple of summer outdoor sports entertainment for the entire KW region and the longest running independent team in the province.

As a non-profit entity throughout its history, the organization is built upon the efforts of countless dedicated volunteers who are passionate about the game and its roots in our community.

During the past several years, we have seen a transformation underway within the IBL. The non-profit model has given way to injections of private investment, as we have seen among our competitors in the league.

If we look to the future, we believe these changes represent more games, more talent, more excitement for fans and more opportunities for the players, coaches and staff who bring the games to life.

Amid the league’s evolution, our board has long been in deep conversation to ensure the Panthers remain a strong presence in the city and within the league. Our tradition of community commitment demands it.

To that end, the board has decided to seek a long-term owner that is as dedicated to our tradition in the region as our community volunteers have been for the past 105 years.

Our team vision remains strong, and our supporters, even stronger, and we know that with the right level of investment, that strength will grow into the next century of baseball in the region.

As a board, we remain committed to providing every opportunity for the team to grow and thrive through this season and into the future until a suitable owner can be confirmed.

In the meantime, we thank you for your ongoing dedication to Kitchener Panthers baseball!

For more information, please contact panthers@cosmossports.com."