Two Amherst men have just become minority partners in the ownership of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Double A professional baseball team, the club announced late Tuesday.

One of them is a familiar name, Rick Brenner, who served as the team’s president and general manager for over 10 years. The other, Tom Silvia, is in the world of finance as a longtime exectutive with Fidelity Investments and Vinebrook Partners.

Longtime Fisher Cats owner Art Solomon remains the majority shareholder. However, this is the first time since former Lowell Spinners and Nashua Silver Knights owner Drew Weber, who founded the franchise and partnered with Solomon in the Fisher Cats ownership that the team has had multiple shareholders. Solomon bought Weber out 15 years ago to beome sole owner of the team, forming the company DSF Sports Group.

Interestingly enough, this move comes when the team – and all of minor league baseball, for that matter – is likely to not have a 2020 season due to the pandemic. Although there’s no official word, Solomon said in a published report late last week that it’s unlikely the Fisher Cats, the Eastern League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, will take the field this summer at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.

But now he has partners to perhaps ease the financial burden of expected losses. The franchise has been a success on and off the field since Weber brought the team to Manchester from New Haven, Conn.in 2004.

“We are thrilled to welcome Rick back to the Fisher Cats family and to have another New Hampshire native like Tom join us,” said Solomon in a press release. “Continuing our team’s commitment to the people and communities of New Hampshire is incredibly important to me and this organization. Rick, Tom, and our expanded ownership group all share that same commitment, and that’s why I’m so excited to bring them in as partners.”

Brenner was with the team from 2006-2016. He left to become the president of Michigan International Speedway, a position he still holds.

“It’s rewarding to see our connection to the Granite State grow even stronger,” said Fisher Cats President and Londonderry native Mike Ramshaw. “Our mission is to create a family-friendly destination that New Hampshire can be proud of, and we’re excited to continue that mission for years to come.”

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