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Buffalo Sharks

Founded	2005; 19 years ago (2005)
Folded	2008; 16 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

The Buffalo Sharks were a basketball team based in Buffalo, New York. The team competed in the American Basketball Association (ABA) as the Buffalo Rapids in 2005–06 and as the Buffalo Silverbacks in 2006–07 before suspending operations.

The organization rebranded as the Buffalo Sharks with plans to relaunch for the 2008–09 ABA season, but ownership instead folded the team.

Its legacy remains as the city's first basketball franchise to operate after the Buffalo Braves relocated to San Diego following the 1977–78 NBA season. Despite ownership changes and financial struggles, the team reached the ABA playoffs in both of its seasons.

History

2004: Franchise acquisition

Gary Nice paid $10,000 to acquire the rights for a Buffalo franchise of the American Basketball Association in August 2004. Nice was CEO of Events Media International, a company that had worked with the league to broadcast its games nationally on radio and television.

Mark Hamister disputed the purchase, as he had paid $75,000 to the league for the city's franchise rights in January 2000. However, he had been unable to come to terms with HSBC Arena management to utilize their venue for the inaugural 2000–01 ABA season. Hamister had been quoted a price of $41,000 per night to rent HSBC Arena, which he found unacceptable.

The league ruled in 2004 that Mark Hamister's two-year contractual window to found a team had lapsed, allowing Gary Nice's plans to move forward.

2005–2006: Buffalo Rapids

The Buffalo Rapids were unveiled in February 2005 after an online contest to name the team. Buffalo Braves won the voting, but along with the second-place Buffalo Wings could not be used due to existing trademarks. The team did adopt Carolina blue uniforms reminiscent of the Columbia blue uniforms worn by the Buffalo Braves.

Richard Jacob was named the team's head coach and general manager in April 2005. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kevin Cadle were also considered for the position. Bob Bateson was hired as the team's strength and conditioning coach.

Tryouts for the team were held at Daemen College in June 2005. Tryouts for the Buffalo Rush cheerleading squad were held at Medaille College in June 2005.

Tim Winn and Trevor Ruffin were announced as the team's first signings in June 2005.

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

Gary Nice was removed as owner of the team in December 2005 after failing to make payroll, forcing the team's relocation from Burt Flickinger Center to Park School of Buffalo. Former Miami Dolphins owner Dan Robbie and his business partner Todd Wier became co-owners after purchasing the franchise that same month.

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

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

The team finished with an 11–17 record and was eliminated in the quarterfinal round of the 2005–06 ABA playoffs by the Atlanta Vision. Kenneth Massey ranked the team 18th overall out of 47 teams in his final ABA ratings of the season.

2006–2007: Buffalo Silverbacks

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

Controversy arose when politician Betty Jean Grant criticized the team's name and logo, which featured a silverback gorilla, as racist. The team responded by adopting a new logo featuring a tiger.

All-Star Tim Winn was released in August 2006 after owner Dan Robbie required him to tryout again for the team, and he refused. Winn had no-showed a team-sponsored youth clinic in Olean, New York the month prior in protest.

Dayshawn Wright, the first overall pick in the 2006 CBA Draft, was signed to the team in September 2006 before breaching his contract a week later to instead sign with the CBA's Minot SkyRockets.

Head coach Richard Jacob resigned from the team in November 2006 and was replaced by Trevor Ruffin.

The team played the 2006–07 ABA season in the North Division of the Blue Conference. Their season opener was a 100–109 loss to the Detroit Panthers on November 8, 2006, drawing 1,232 fans to their new home of Buffalo State Sports Arena.

Antoine Sims was named to the 2007 ABA All-Star Game after leading the team with 28 points per game. Modie Cox was recipient of the league's inaugural Community Service Award.

The team finished with a 16–10 record and was eliminated in the semifinal round of the 2006–07 ABA playoffs by the Beijing Aoshen Olympians. Kenneth Massey ranked the team 6th overall out of 49 teams in his final ABA ratings of the season.

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

2008: Buffalo Sharks

It was announced in May 2008 that the franchise had changed its name to the Buffalo Sharks. 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 the Italy men's national basketball team on June 23, 2008. The team was led by Ejike Ugboaja with 16 points and Jason Rowe with 7 assists.

Vincent Lesh secured Koessler Center as the team's home venue for the 2008–09 ABA season. However, Lesh announced in September 2008 that he was folding the Sharks and instead leaving the ABA to purchase Todd Wier's Buffalo Dragons franchise in the PBL.

Personnel

2005–2006

2006–2007

Season-by-season record

Game log

2005–2006

Regular season

Playoffs

2006–2007

Regular season

Playoffs

Player statistics

2006–2007

After all games.

Waived during the season
Traded during the season
Acquired during the season

References

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9. Rodriguez, Miguel (May 29, 2005). "COACH SEARCHING FOR CHEER-DANCERS TO LEAD MARKETING EFFORTS WITH THE RAPIDS". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
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11. Davis, Henry L. (September 17, 2005). "Ex-Bill relocates fitness business to Pearl Street in $1 million rehab". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
12. "Rapids hold first open tryout". OurSports Central. June 1, 2005. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
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15. ^ "American Basketball Association 2006, News, Teams, Scores, Stats, Standings, Awards". usbasket. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
16. McKissic, Rodney (June 27, 2006). "Silverbacks will play this fall". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
17. Watson, Stephen T. (June 30, 2005). "ECC TRUSTEES DEFEND PRESIDENT AND HIS PAY". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
18. McKissic, Rodney (December 14, 2005). "Rapids' new era tips off with win". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
19. "Rapids' Santa Claus Revealed". OurSports Central. December 22, 2005. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
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21. "100 point scorers". Lucky's Amazing Sports Lists (in Latin). January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
22. "McAdoo: 52, But Celtics Beat Braves". The New York Times. February 23, 1974. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
23. Daubs, Kyle (2022-11-19). "The Most Points Scored In One Game For Every NBA Franchise". Fadeaway World. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
24. "ABA names two ABA All-Stars". OurSports Central. January 26, 2006. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
25. "Buffalo's Tim Winn selected as one of ABA's top players". OurSports Central. April 5, 2006. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
26. "Massey Ratings". March 26, 2006. Archived from the original on August 29, 2006. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
27. "Buffalo team changes name and logo". OurSports Central. May 9, 2006. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
28. ^ Watson, Stephen T. (August 5, 2006). "'Silverbacks' called racially insensitive". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
29. ^ Bronstein, Jonah (October 20, 2006). "SILVERBACKS: Pair of centers join Cox on Silverbacks". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
30. Beutel, Nate (August 12, 2006). "BASKETBALL: Winn released by Silverbacks, career might be over". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
31. "PEZZIMENTI: Winn's clinic absence a mystery". Olean Times Herald. July 28, 2006. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
32. "Silverbacks sign first overall pick DayShawn Wright". OurSports Central. September 30, 2006. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
33. Beutel, Nate (November 1, 2006). "SILVERBACKS: Jacob steps down as coach unexpectedly". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
34. Murray, Pat (November 4, 2006). "PAT MURRAY: NU soccer coach has done great job". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
35. ^ "American Basketball Association 2007, News, Teams, Scores, Stats, Standings, Awards". usbasket. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
36. Bronstein, Jonah (November 9, 2006). "PRO BASKETBALL: Despite opening loss, 'super fan' likes direction of Silverbacks". Tonawanda News. Archived from the original on 2007-03-28. Retrieved March 28, 2007.
37. ^ "Silverbacks Cox and Sims awarded ABA honors". OurSports Central. January 15, 2007. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
38. "Massey Ratings". March 29, 2007. Archived from the original on July 28, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
39. "New Ownership Group To Operate ABA Buffalo Silverbacks". OurSports Central. September 25, 2007. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
40. ^ McKissic, Rodney (July 11, 2008). "IS TWO A CROWD?". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
41. McKissic, Rodney (May 13, 2008). "ABA 'Sharks' will play at Canisius". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
42. ^ McKissic, Rodney (June 24, 2008). "Makeshift Buffalo stars beat Italians Ugboja, Rainey lead scoring". Buffalo News. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
43. McKissic, Rodney (2008-09-18). "New minor-league basketball team will be called Stampede". The Buffalo News. Archived from the original on 2008-09-19. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
44. "Buffalo Silverbacks 2006-07 Individual Player Stats (Per Game Averages)". Buffalo Silverbacks. Archived from the original on 2007-05-19. Retrieved May 19, 2007.

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