Dr. Michael A. Kahn made his fortune in his family business, running wine and spirits wholesale and distribution company. He played hockey in his youth and later became the owner of a hockey team. He bought the Charlotte Checkers from Steve Luquire, Mark Richardson, Félix Sabates, Carl Scheer and Jerry Zucker on June 28, 2006.

Kahn moved the Checkers from the ECHL to the AHL, after acquiring the Albany River Rats from Walter Robb on February 10, 2010 and relinquishing the ECHL franchise at the end of the season. He sold a majority stake in the franchise to Zawyer Sports & Entertainment led by its founder Andrew Kaufmann on July 15, 2024, but retained a minority stake the franchise.

Kahn also became a minority owner of the Checkers' NHL affiliate, the Carolina Hurricanes, on November 3, 2011. He sold his stake in the Hurricanes to Tom Dundon in early November, 2018.