Andy Kaufmann is a successful entrepreneur and businessman who has been involved in his family business since he was a child. Andy learned a great deal about business from his first real-life hero, his father, and assembled first aid kits for his business in exchange for baseball cards. 

In 1999, Andy graduated from Emerson College with a degree in marketing and embarked on a mission to build brands. In July 2018, Andy formed a group of Jacksonville-based investors and purchased the ECHL’s Jacksonville Icemen, making them the only locally owned sports team in the city. That group has since expanded to include such sports stars as Tim Tebow (Heisman Trophy winner, former NFL player and MLB prospect) and Daniel Murphy (three-time MLB All-Star) are among other successful investors.

Since then, Andy has continued to grow Zawyer Sports & Entertainment by purchasing a variety of enterprises including the ECHL’s Savannah Ghost Pirates, Greensboro Gargoyles and the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers. Zawyer Sports also has a management interest with the ECHL’s Tahoe Knight Monsters. Zawyer Sports also owns the Gastonia Ghost Peppers Baseball Club (Atlantic League) and a pair of ice facilities, the Community First Igloo in Jacksonville and Ghost Pirates Ice in Savannah.  

Zawyer Sports also owns and operates The UPSHOT League, a professional women’s basketball league set to begin play in May of 2026 with teams currently based in Charlotte, Greensboro, Savannah and Jacksonville. 

In addition, Zawyer Sports formed and operates 32 Degrees Marketing – a full-service agency based in Jacksonville which continues to grow as the business seeks new team and venue opportunities. 

Andy, his wife Farrah and their sons Sawyer and Zachary live in Jacksonville and are very active in their community.