On September 22, 2026, Kamloops NorthPaws announced it would officially begin searching for a new ownership group.
The announcement came just six years after the team was founded in 2020 by a group of three local businessmen, Norm Daley, Neal Perry, and Jon Pankuch. In a press release, the owners have stated they have hired Cosmos Sports and Entertainment to seek qualified buyers for the club and will seek to keep the sale localized.
“We believe this is the right time to welcome new ownership with the vision, energy and resources to take the team forward. This is a positive step for the future of the NorthPaws, and our priority is finding the right owner to continue growing the organization here in Kamloops.” The ownership group said in the press release.
There was no price listed for the team in the release. However, it said operations will remain normal throughout the sale process. There is no intention to move the West Coast League team.
Over their few seasons, the NorthPaws have been working towards building a strong fan base in the Kamloops community. The ownership group is looking for someone who “shares the organization’s commitment to the community, its supporters and the long-term future of baseball in the region.”
“The Kamloops NorthPaws represent an exciting opportunity to acquire an established sports franchise in a passionate Canadian market,” said Cary Kaplan, President of Cosmos Sports & Entertainment. “The team has a recognizable brand, strong community roots and meaningful potential for continued growth. We look forward to speaking with prospective owners who recognize both the business opportunity and the privilege of stewarding an important community asset.”
As the NorthPaws begin their search for a new owner, the team will have an opportunity to build on its growing attendance while looking to improve its on-field results.
The NorthPaws are a collegiate summer baseball team that plays at NorBorck Stadium on McArthur Island. Players are recruited to Kamloops for the summer from NCAA Division I and II programs, NAIA schools, and elite Junior Colleges across North America.
While many athletes hail from out of town, the Northpaws are known to have a strong pipeline of hometown players and the Wolfpack Baseball. In recent years, locals and TRU players such as Manny Recchi, Kolby Lukinchuk, and Liam Rihela have been a part of the Paw’s roster.
The team was established and joined the WCL in 2020, but they did not play their first season until 2022 due to COVID-19. In their inaugural season, the team finished in third in the North Division and advanced to the playoffs, before being eliminated.
Since then, the NorthPaws have not returned to the postseason. In 2026, they finished in fifth place in the division with a 22-32 record, falling 10 games under .500.
Attendance has also been a challenge for the team. In 2025, the NorthPaws ranked last in the league in attendance, averaging around 450 fans per game. However, in 2026, they saw an increase, with the average attendance per game sitting at 600, with 16,254 fans in their 27 home games of the season. However, average attendance remained well below the stadium’s reported seating capacity of 1,500.
The rise in attendance offers a positive sign for the WCL team’s future. With a new ownership group on the horizon, this offers an opportunity to build on this and continue to grow the team’s connection with the Kamloops community.
The current ownership group has emphasized its desire to find a buyer committed to keeping the team in Kamloops and growing baseball in the region. Whether new ownership can turn that vision into greater fan support and on-field success remains to be seen.