Checkers Back At Full Strength
Published on May 22, 2002 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
CHARLOTTE, NC â Original Charlotte Checker owners, Carl Scheer and Felix Sabates lead an ownership group that has purchased the Checkers from Big Play Entertainment, the announcement came at a press conference on Tuesday, May 21. Scheer and Sabates brought the expansion Charlotte Checkers to the East Coast Hockey League in 1993 and owned the team through the 1996 campaign. The Checkers set an ECHL attendance record in their innaugural season by averaging more than 8,000 fans per game. In 1996, the team won an ECHL Riley Cup Championship under the Scheer-Sabates ownership. The ownership group has established a lease agreement keeping the Checkers in Charlotte and in Cricket Arena for five years.
Scheer, currently the owner of the 2002 ECHL Kelly Cup Champion Greenville Grrrowl and the Carolina Rhinos of AF2, has been a significant player in the sports marketing business for the past 30 years. Throughout his illustrious career, Scheer was named Executive of the Year by The Sporting News twice (1973, 1974) and was named Greenville Businessman of the Year and Ernst and Young Entrepeneur of the Year in 1999. Scheer has held President and General Manager positions with both the Los Angeles Clippers and Charlotte Hornets of the NBA. He served two years as Commisioner of the Continental Basketball Association beginning in 1986.
"Felix and I are excited about again being part of Charlotte's historic home team," said Scheer. "It has been a pleasure working with the city to ensure that Charlotte and Cricket Arena will be the Checkers' home for years to come."
Sabates currently serves as president and owner of Victory Lane Enterprises, a Charlotte based show boat company, and is a co-owner of the Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates NASCAR race team. Sabates is involved with and dedicated to civic activity in Charlotte as he serves on the Board of Directors for Carolinas Health Care Systems, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the Windmere Corporation, and the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. His efforts in the sports world, the business world, and the local community has made Sabates one of the most affluent, respected and recognized businessmen in America.
"As hockey fans committed to Charlotte, Carl and I cherish that tradition and share a commitment withthis community," Sabates said. " With that commitment comes a pledgeto put a quality team on the ice and create an affordable, entertaining atmosphere for fans and families."
Bob Scheer will serve as President of the Checkers and will oversee day-to-day operations of the franchise.
The Checkers will begin their 10th ECHL season in Charlotte this October at Cricket Arena. The Checkers are an affilaite of the NHL's New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack. For season ticket information, the Checkers ticket office can be reached at 704-342-4ICE or visit the official web site of the Charlotte Checkers www.gocheckers.com.
American Hockey League Stories from May 22, 2002
- Sound Tigers Win the East - AHL
- Mighty Ducks Promote Babcock - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Admirals Update - Norfolk Admirals
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
- Checkers Back At Full Strength - Charlotte Checkers
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