Diamond Baseball Holdings Acquires Charlotte Knights

The Charlotte Knights, a Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, announced today that they have entered into an agreement to sell the franchise to Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), a company known for owning and operating select Minor League Baseball (MiLB) teams affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB). DBH will also take control of Truist Field and the Paper Mill Pub as part of this deal. The team's existing front office staff and current leadership under Chief Operating Officer Dan Rajkowski will continue their operations unchanged. 
 
This announcement marks an exciting new chapter in Charlotte's professional baseball history, as DBH pledges its commitment to further enriching the Queen City’s sports landscape. Don Beaver and his minority partner Bill Allen purchased the Knights back in 1997, initiating several successful changes, including relocating from Fort Mill, S.C., to Charlotte. As ownership passes hands now, they entrust DBH with continuing efforts to enhance both fan and player experiences at one of MiLB's most vibrant communities, Truist Field. 
 
Expressing his gratitude towards everyone who supported their journey over these years, Beaver said, "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 fans of the Knight for supporting our franchise over these years." He added that baseball has been a significant part of his family life for more than two decades now, and he looks forward to seeing continued success for the club under Diamond Baseball Holdings' stewardship. 
 
Rajkowski echoed similar sentiments by saying, “I think this is a wonderful transition from Beaver Sports to Diamond Baseball Holdings.” He lauded DBH’s reputation as leaders among America’s innovative minor league franchises with track records of investing significantly in local communities, expressing eagerness about working together to preserve Charlotte's baseball legacy. 
 
DBH boasts a growing portfolio of clubs across the United States, expanding local passions nationally via cutting-edge digital technologies integrated into club operations while generating new value-creating opportunities in partnership with MLB. 
 
Pat Battle and Peter Freund, Executive Chairman and CEO of DBH, respectively, expressed their excitement about the Knights joining their roster, stating that they aim to build on the already fantastic experience at Truist Field by emphasizing fan and player experiences through innovation and best-in-class services. 
 
In a statement from Chris Getz, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Chicago White Sox, he thanked Don Beaver and Bill Allen for their vision, leadership, and dedication over the past 25 years while expressing a thrill seeing Triple-A affiliates join ranks with Double-A Birmingham Barons High-A Winston-Salem Dash under DBH's umbrella. 
 
Since its opening in 2014, Truist Field has been among the most visited venues across Minor League Baseball, welcoming over five million fans to date. The venue also hosts several large-scale events, including the annual Light Knights Festival. Recently, it set a record attendance record during the 2024 Queen City Outdoor Classic, featuring Charlotte Checkers and the and the Rochester Americans of the of the American Hockey League. In addition to these, the Paper Mill Pub located within Truist Field is open all year round, providing streetside access. 
 
Subject to obtaining league consent satisfying other usual closing conditions, the transaction is expected to close soon, enhancing the sports landscape in the in the Charlotte region further.