CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte's Minor League Baseball team has been sold but it won't be leaving the Queen City.
On Tuesday, the Charlotte Knights announced the sale to Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), which owns several Minor League teams, including the Winston-Salem Dash and Birmingham Barons. Both teams, like the Knights, are minor league affiliates of the Chicago White Sox.
The sale means Diamond Baseball Holdings will take ownership of the Knights, Truist Field and the Paper Mill Pub, which is attached to the stadium. The Knights are expected to remain in Charlotte as part of the deal.
The team is expected to hold a news conference to discuss the sale on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. A sale price wasn't shared in a news release Tuesday.
“The Knights for years have embodied the very best that MiLB has to offer – from a one-of-a-kind setting to unmatched family entertainment to a significant role as a community leader – and it is an incredible privilege to add them to our roster,” said Pat Battle and Peter Freund, Executive Chairman and CEO of DBH, respectively. “We thank Don Beaver, Bill Allen, Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte for their support during the transition, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to continue growing our relationship with the White Sox. Our goal is to build on the fantastic experience at Truist Field by placing the emphasis on our fans and players with a commitment to innovation and best-in-class services.”
The announcement of the sale isn't entirely unexpected. Team owner Don Beaver said in January that he was exploring a potential sale. Chief Operating Officer Dan Rajkowski confirmed at the time that the process of selling the team had started. Rajkowski will continue to lead the team with existing front office staff.
“On behalf of my family, I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, Charlotte Center City Partners and the fans of the Charlotte Knights for supporting our franchise over the years,” Beaver said in a statement Tuesday. “For the past 25-plus years, the Knights have been a big part of my family’s life and I wish the club much success as it moves into a new chapter with Diamond Baseball Holdings. Truist Field is one of the finest ballparks in the country and baseball is a true staple of the Charlotte community. We will continue to support the Knights and attend as many games as possible.”
“I think this is a wonderful transition from Beaver Sports to Diamond Baseball Holdings,” Rajkowski said. “DBH leads some of the most successful and innovative Minor League Baseball franchises in America with a reputation for investing in those communities. My staff and I look forward to working with DBH to continue the great legacy of baseball in Charlotte.”
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