Kitchener Panthers find new ownership with the KW Titans

Kitchener Panthers find new ownership through the KW Titans The Kitchener Panthers have been bought by KW Titans owners David Schooley and Katie Schooley.

The Kitchener Panthers have been bought by KW Titans owners David Schooley and Katie Schooley.

The announcement came on Saturday, during half-time of the KW Titans vs. the Pontiac Pharaohs from Michigan.

The Schooleys opened an umbrella ownership group titled Waterloo Region Sports and Entertainment that will operate both Kitchener-Waterloo titles.

“It gives control of two sports teams to one organization to drive them forward within the community,” said David Schooley, CEO and co-owner of the Titans. “We have like minded views on community involvement and we're so excited about seeing where we can take the Panthers in the next 105 years.”

The Panthers were the only team that was community led and non-profit in the intercounty baseball league for over a century. They have been up for sale since August, before being purchased by the Titans duo.

Shanif Hirani began as the Panthers’ newest general manager this month. He’s been playing baseball since he was four years old and was previously on the Panthers team.

Hirani said that despite a tough past couple of years for the Panthers, he’s confident that they will be able to make a comeback through this opportunity and be a competitive team on the field.

“Sports play a huge part in our society and if we can bring something to the community, I think it's definitely going to benefit everyone,” said Hirani.

Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic was on the sidelines watching the game and sharing in the fans' energy.

“We're a growing community. We're a growing region. We want to make sure we have great things for people to do,” said Vrbanovic. “That makes this community a great place to live, work and play in. And, having sports of this caliber here in the community is part of that.”

Panthers on sale

The team told CTV News in August that they wanted to continue to compete, but their funding through sponsors, concession receipts and merchandise sales didn’t give the Panthers financial room for marketing or recruiting.

“The league has changed, it’s evolved. It’s continuing to change and our not-for-profit model is no longer sustainable,” said Panthers General Manager Mike Boehmer.

The Panthers said they believed new ownership will help them compete at the same level as other teams in the league.

“As the Titans season finishes, the Panthers season will continue, [and] will just be starting. We'll be running the sports organization almost 12 months a year,” said Schooley.

“What [fans] can expect is a great product on the court and on the field every single game.”

The Panthers will begin the 2025 season on May 11.