Baseball, basketball unite as Panthers join ownership group with the KW Titans
Posted Dec 15, 2024 08:17:20 AM.
Last Updated Dec 16, 2024 11:58:25 AM.
The KW Titans and the Kitchener Panthers are officially joining forces, with a new local ownership group bringing basketball and baseball under the same umbrella.
David and Kate Schooley, owners of the KW Titans, have partnered with Sam, Naseem, and Shanif Hirani, a local business family, to create Waterloo Region Sports and Entertainment. The new entity will officially co-own the KW Titans, also announcing the acquisition of the Kitchener Panthers.
The announcement was made at halftime during the latest game between the KW Titans and the visiting Pontiac Pharaohs at The Aud.
“Owning two local sports teams allows the group to unite the Kitchener-Waterloo community in a unique way,” said David Schooley. “The Titans and Panthers share the same core values of promoting athletic performance, supporting player development, and fostering connections across our community.”
The Panthers have been a team in the Intercounty Baseball League for over 100 years, previously announcing it was being put up for sale during the 2024 season in August. Shanif Hirani previously played as a member of the Kitchener Panthers back in 2018, now being named the new general manager for the team.
Meanwhile, the KW Titans are currently in the midst of their season, leading the Basketball Super League with a 26-13 record.
“We are thrilled to join together and expand the dynamic culture of sports in our region,” said Schooley.
The two local teams share a not-for-profit focus and will see nearly a full year of consistent action for the new ownership group, with the Titans’ season lasting from November through to May and the Panthers playing from May through to September.
