Buffalo Sharks

Founded	2005; 20 years ago (2005)
Folded	2008; 17 years ago (2008)
League	ABA
Conference	Blue
Division	Connie Hawkins 2005–2006 North 2006–2007
Team history	Buffalo Rapids 2005–2006 Buffalo Silverbacks 2006–2007 Buffalo Sharks 2008
Based in	Buffalo, New York
Arena	Burt Flickinger Center 2005 Park School of Buffalo 2005–2006 Buffalo State Sports Arena 2006–2007
Colors	Blue,blue, white 2005–2006     Red, black, silver 2006–2007     Blue, red, white 2008
Owner	Gary Nice 2005 Dan Robbie & Todd Wier 2005–2007 Vincent Lesh 2007–2008
Head coach	Richard Jacob 2005–2006, 2008 Trevor Ruffin 2006–2007
General manager	Richard Jacob 2005–2006, 2008
Captain	Tim Winn 2005–2006
Overall record	29–29 (.500)
Playoff berths	2 (2006,2007)
Cheerleaders	Buffalo Rush 2005–2006
Dancers	WBLK Sweet Divas 2006–2007
Main sponsor	Shark Energy 2008

TheBuffalo Sharks were abasketball team based inBuffalo, New York. The team competed in theAmerican Basketball Association (ABA) as theBuffalo Rapids in2005–06 and as theBuffalo Silverbacks in2006–07 before suspending operations.

The organization rebranded as the Buffalo Sharks with plans to relaunch for the2008–09 ABA season, but ownership instead folded the team.

Its legacy remains as the city's first basketball franchise to operate after theBuffalo Braves relocated toSan Diego following the1977–78 NBA season. Despite ownership changes and financial struggles, the team reached the ABA playoffs in both of its seasons.

Gary Nice paid $10,000 to acquire the rights for aBuffalo franchise of theAmerican Basketball Association in August 2004.^[1][2] Nice was CEO of Events Media International, a company that had worked with the league to broadcast its games nationally on radio and television.^[3][4]

Mark Hamister disputed the purchase, as he had paid $75,000 to the league for the city's franchise rights in January 2000.^[1][5][6] However, he had been unable to come to terms withHSBC Arena management to utilize their venue for the inaugural2000–01 ABA season.^[7] Hamister had been quoted a price of $41,000 per night to rentHSBC Arena, which he found unacceptable.^[7]

The league ruled in 2004 thatMark Hamister's two-year contractual window to found a team had lapsed, allowing Gary Nice's plans to move forward.^[1]

The Buffalo Rapids were unveiled in February 2005 after an online contest to name the team.^[8]Buffalo Braves won the voting, but along with the second-placeBuffalo Wings could not be used due to existing trademarks.^[8] The team did adoptCarolina blue uniforms reminiscent of theColumbia blue uniforms worn by theBuffalo Braves.^[9]

Richard Jacob was named the team'shead coach andgeneral manager in April 2005.^[10]Kareem Abdul-Jabbar andKevin Cadle were also considered for the position.^[10]Bob Bateson was hired as the team'sstrength and conditioning coach.^[11]

Tryouts for the team were held atDaemen College in June 2005.^[12] Tryouts for the Buffalo Rushcheerleading squad were held atMedaille College in June 2005.^[13]

Tim Winn andTrevor Ruffin were announced as the team's first signings in June 2005.^[14]

The team played the2005–06 ABA season in the Connie Hawkins Division of the Blue Conference.^[15] 400season ticket packages were sold for the team's home matchups atBurt Flickinger Center, with the organization agreeing to rent the facility at a cost of $9,540 per night.^[16][17] Their inaugural game was a 107–108 home loss to theMaryland Nighthawks in front of 3,200 fans on November 3, 2005.^[2]

Gary Nice was removed as owner of the team in December 2005 after failing to make payroll, forcing the team's relocation fromBurt Flickinger Center toPark School of Buffalo.^[18] FormerMiami Dolphins owner Dan Robbie and his business partner Todd Wier became co-owners after purchasing the franchise that same month.^[19]

Antoine Sims scored 52 points in the team's 136–90 victory over the Boston Frenzy on February 3, 2006.^[20][21] This tied the record for most points scored professionally by a Buffalo player, which was set byBob McAdoo of theBuffalo Braves in 1974.^[22][23]

Tim Winn was named to the2006 ABA All-Star Game and 2006 All-ABA Team after averaging 25 points, 11 assists and 4 steals on the season.^[24][25]

The team finished with an 11–17 record and was eliminated in the quarterfinal round of the2005–06 ABA playoffs by theAtlanta Vision.^[15]Kenneth Massey ranked the team 18th overall out of 47 teams in his final ABA ratings of the season.^[26]

Buffalo Silverbacks logo
May 2006–September 2006

Buffalo Silverbacks logo
October 2006–September 2007

It was announced in May 2006 that the franchise had changed its name to the Buffalo Silverbacks.^[27] The rebranding was necessary because Gary Nice retained ownership of the Buffalo Rapids trademark when he left the organization.^[28]

Controversy arose when politicianBetty Jean Grant criticized the team's name and logo, which featured a silverbackgorilla, asracist.^[28] The team responded by adopting a new logo featuring atiger.^[29]

All-StarTim Winn was released in August 2006 after owner Dan Robbie required him to tryout again for the team, and he refused.^[30] Winn had no-showed a team-sponsored youth clinic inOlean, New York the month prior in protest.^[31]

Dayshawn Wright, the first overall pick in the 2006CBA Draft, was signed to the team in September 2006 before breaching his contract a week later to instead sign with the CBA'sMinot SkyRockets.^[32][29]

Head coachRichard Jacob resigned from the team in November 2006 and was replaced byTrevor Ruffin.^[33][34]

The team played the2006–07 ABA season in the North Division of the Blue Conference.^[35] Their season opener was a 100–109 loss to theDetroit Panthers on November 8, 2006, drawing 1,232 fans to their new home ofBuffalo State Sports Arena.^[36]

Antoine Sims was named to the2007 ABA All-Star Game after leading the team with 28 points per game.^[37]Modie Cox was recipient of the league's inaugural Community Service Award.^[37]

The team finished with a 16–10 record and was eliminated in the semifinal round of the2006–07 ABA playoffs by theBeijing Aoshen Olympians.^[35]Kenneth Massey ranked the team 6th overall out of 49 teams in his final ABA ratings of the season.^[38]

Dan Robbie and Todd Wier sold the franchise to concert promoter Vincent Lesh for $15,000 in September 2007, and the team sat out the2007–08 ABA season for reorganization.^[39][40] Robbie and Wier claimed losses of $700,000 in their two seasons of ownership.^[40]

It was announced in May 2008 that the franchise had changed its name to the Buffalo Sharks.^[41] The name and logo referenced the team's primary sponsor,Shark Energy.

Rich Jacob returned as head coach and general manager, leading a makeshift Buffalo Select All-Stars squad to a 62–54 exhibition victory over theItaly men's national basketball team on June 23, 2008.^[42] The team was led byEjike Ugboaja with 16 points andJason Rowe with 7 assists.^[42]

Vincent Lesh securedKoessler Center as the team's home venue for the2008–09 ABA season.^[40] However, Lesh announced in September 2008 that he was folding the Sharks and instead leaving the ABA to purchase Todd Wier'sBuffalo Dragons franchise in thePBL.^[43]

After all games.^[44]

^‡Waived during the season
^†Traded during the season
^≠Acquired during the season

• 2005 establishments in New York (state)
• 2008 disestablishments in New York (state)
• Basketball teams established in 2005
• Basketball teams disestablished in 2008
• Basketball teams in New York (state)
• Defunct American Basketball Association (2000–present) teams
• Sports in Buffalo, New York

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