JACKSONVILLE, FL — [October 15, 2026] — The Jacksonville Icemen and Jacksonville Waves, professional men’s hockey and women’s basketball teams owned and operated by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment (ZSE), today announced Baptist Health as their new Official Healthcare Partner. The agreement brings two of Jacksonville’s professional sports franchises together with one of the region’s most trusted healthcare providers to support athlete health, wellness and performance.
Through the partnership, Baptist Health will provide medical expertise and advanced healthcare resources to support Icemen and Waves athletes throughout their respective seasons. With a shared commitment to excellence, the organizations will work together to prioritize player health, optimize performance and provide athletes with the resources needed to compete at the highest level.
“By securing a multifaceted partnership with Baptist Health, Zawyer Sports and our local professional sports teams now have a competitive edge on and off the ice and court,” said Mike DeMartino, Chief Revenue Officer of Zawyer Sports & Entertainment. “Baptist Health has a longstanding reputation as a trusted healthcare provider in our region, and we’re proud to have such an established, credible partner supporting what matters most – the health and well-being of our athletes.”
“As a Jacksonville-based company, it’s important to us to build relationships with organizations that are equally invested in this community,” said Andy Kaufmann, CEO of Zawyer Sports & Entertainment. “Baptist Health is exactly that, and this partnership allows us to pair those shared roots with a commitment to giving the Icemen and Waves the support they need to perform at their best.”
For more than 20 years, Baptist Health has been recognized by healthcare consumers as the region’s most preferred healthcare provider. As Northeast Florida’s largest healthcare system, Baptist Health combines advanced medical technologies, comprehensive diagnostic and treatment capabilities, and personalized care to serve patients and families throughout the region.
“Sports have a unique way of inspiring people, bringing communities together and encouraging active lifestyles,” said Eric Fletcher, MBA, FACHE, executive vice president and chief strategy officer at Baptist Health. “We’re proud to bring the expertise of Northeast Florida’s largest health system, especially in areas like orthopedics, to support the athletes of the Icemen and Waves and encourage people across our community to live active, healthy lives.”
For more information, visit zawyersports.com and baptistjax.com.
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About Baptist Health
Based in Jacksonville, Florida, Baptist Health is a community-based health system focused on making health care easier to access while working to improve health and well-being. As the area’s only locally governed, faith-based, not-for-profit health system, Baptist Health delivers a full spectrum of preventive and specialty care through its 200+ ambulatory locations, six acute care hospitals, home health and virtual care offerings. Through its comprehensive approach to whole-person health for children and adults, Baptist Health provides the area’s largest network of primary care, urgent care and behavioral health care, as well as many specialty services and several wellness centers. Destination centers of excellence include Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center, Baptist Heart Hospital, Baptist Neurological Institute, and Wolfson Children’s Hospital, the only full-service children’s hospital serving the region. To help people get the care they need when and where they need it, the health system leverages digital technology to enhance the delivery of its high-quality, seamless, patient-centered care. Baptist Health is vital to the community, caring for more patients in Northeast Florida than any other provider. The health system has been consistently ranked as “most preferred” for more than 30 years and has been named one of “America’s Greatest Workplaces in Health Care” by Newsweek magazine. To learn more, visit BaptistJax.com.
About the Jacksonville Icemen
The Jacksonville Icemen are a professional hockey team based in Jacksonville, Florida, competing in the ECHL. Owned by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment, the Icemen play their home games at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena and are committed to delivering exciting professional hockey experiences while engaging with the Jacksonville community.
About the Jacksonville Waves
The Jacksonville Waves are Jacksonville’s professional women’s basketball franchise competing in the UPSHOT League. Owned by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment, the Waves are committed to advancing opportunities for women in professional basketball while delivering high-level competition and building meaningful connections with fans and the Jacksonville community.
About Zawyer Sports & Entertainment
Zawyer Sports & Entertainment (ZSE) is a sports ownership and management company creating exceptional experiences for athletes, fans, and communities. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, ZSE owns and operates multiple professional teams and is the force behind the UPSHOT League, a professional women’s basketball league Where the Future is UP. With a focus on opportunity, community, and connection, ZSE builds platforms where players shine, fans engage, and cities thrive.
Media Contact
Lauren Muni
Zawyer Sports & Entertainment
lauren@zawyersports.com
Cindy Hamilton
Baptist Health
Cindy.hamilton@bmcjax.com
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