Buffalo Rapids
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| Founded | 2005 |
|---|---|
| League | ABA 2005–2008 |
| Team history | Buffalo Rapids 2005–06 Buffalo Silverbacks 2006–07 Buffalo Sharks 2008 |
| Based in | Buffalo, New York |
| Arena | Koessler Athletic Center |
| Colors | Red and Blue |
| Owner(s) | Vincent Lesh |
| Head coach | Richard Jacob |
| Championships | 0 |
| Division titles | 0 |
| Cheerleaders | Buffalo Rush (05-06) |
| Dancers | WBLK Sweet Divas (06-07) |
The Buffalo Sharks were a professional basketball team in the American Basketball Association based in Buffalo, New York. The team played two seasons as the Buffalo Rapids and Buffalo Silverbacks before suspending operations. This team is not to be confused with the Buffalo Stampede of the Premier Basketball League.
The Buffalo Rapids were founded by Gary Nice and began play in the fall of 2005 as part of the ABA's Connie Hawkins Division. It was the first professional basketball team to play in Buffalo, New York since the Buffalo Braves. The team's name was chosen by a fan voting, with "Rapids" finishing second to "Braves". Trademark restrictions prevented the franchise from adopting the Braves name, but the Rapids team colors were identical to those of the Buffalo Braves.
Dan Robbie and Todd Wier became co-owners of the franchise in December 2005 following the league's removal of Gary Nice.
Initial games were played at Burt Flickinger Center, but a financial dispute left the team searching for a new permanent home. They played most home games at Park School of Buffalo until February 2006. The final home game of the 2005–2006 season was played at Buffalo State Sports Arena, with the team later utilizing the venue for most 2006–2007 home games.
It was announced in May 2006 that the franchise had changed its name to the Buffalo Silverbacks. Controversy arose in August 2006 when the Buffalo News ran an article condemning the team's logo, which featured a silverback gorilla, as racist. The team responded by adopting a new team logo featuring a tiger in October 2006.
Another bit of controversy involved the Silverbacks announcing that DayShawn Wright had been signed to the team in September 2006. Soon after this announcement, Wright signed with the Minot SkyRockets of the CBA.
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