The Jersey Express are a team in the American Basketball Association based in Newark, New Jersey . The team was formed in 2005 as the Newark Express and later became the Garden State Warriors . Marsha Blount is the owner of the team.
47-693: The Express ended the regular season on March 5, 2006, after losing an away game to the Buffalo Rapids . Their record for the regular season was 14-16 and they finished third in the Roger Brown Division behind the Harlem Strong Dogs and the Strong Island Sound . They had a bye week for the first round of the playoffs. They played on March 17, 2006, in Atlanta against their second round opponent,
94-638: A basketball team in New Jersey is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Buffalo Rapids 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
141-604: 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. It
188-556: A parking garage. Construction began in early 2013, while the restaurants and rinks opened in late October 2014. The elevated walkway connecting the KeyBank Center and LECOM Harborcenter buildings was completed and opened in early 2015, while the Marriott hotel opened in the summer of 2015. Also, after the 2011-12 Buffalo Sabres season , the Sabres added 380 seats, mainly as an additional row in
235-516: A small number (100-250 fans on average) at their games, but there was more loyalty and noise among the fans toward the end of the season. The team had mentioned the possibility of moving to a larger arena in the future. Although the Prudential Center was completed in 2007, the low attendance prevented the team from using the arena. The Newark Express season ended with a loss against the top ranked Rochester Razorsharks 126-98 on March 19, 2006 in
282-554: 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
329-608: Is a 10' high bronze statue of The French Connection . These renovations were completed in October 2012. The sixth update included multiple changes, including modifying the entrance pavilion due to the LECOM Harborcenter construction. That building is attached to the arena by an elevated walkway. LECOM Harborcenter is a mid-rise building with 2 hockey rinks, a Marriott hotel, retail space, IMPACT Training facility, restaurants including 716 Food and Sport and flagship Tim Hortons and
376-598: The 1998 NHL Entry Draft and the 2016 NHL Entry Draft . The arena hosted games three, four, and six of the 1999 Stanley Cup Finals . In 2003, the arena hosted the Frozen Four NCAA Ice Hockey tournament. From December 2010 to January 2011, the arena hosted the IIHF World Junior Championship tournament. During the 2012 NHL lockout , the arena hosted several Rochester Americans games and continues to host occasional Americans games at
423-610: 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
470-536: The Atlanta Vision . The Express started the season with star players Aswan Morris, Rasheed Sparks, Jamie Sowers and Derek Washington and Marcus Toney-El from the Jersey SkyCats . The head coach of the team in their first season was Darryl Dawkins . Former Newark Mayor, Sharpe James , and the city council gave money to the team and became an official sponsor during their inaugural season. The Newark Express had
517-625: The Buffalo Memorial Auditorium . The construction cost was $ 127.5 million, (approximately $ 248 million in 2023 dollars). The venue was named after its central downtown location, which was originally proposed as the site of a domed stadium in the 1960s for the Buffalo Bills and a potential Major League Baseball team before that project was abandoned. On November 16, 1996, the arena's first JumboTron , an eight-sided scoreboard made by Daktronics with Sony video screens, fell to
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#1732884314203564-592: The 200 level, to raise the arena's capacity to 19,070. This number is symbolic of the team's founding in 1970. In 2013, the Buffalo Sabres announced that all 80 luxury suites would be renovated over a 3-year period. All suites will now feature the Sabres Blue and Gold color scheme, 50" TVs, new carpeting, new furniture and gathering islands. Construction began on this project in July 2013. The seventh update took place during
611-408: The 300 level, raising the arena's hockey and lacrosse capacity from 18,595 to 18,690. The second update to the arena took place in 2002–2003, when the Sabres replaced matrix board on the face of the second bowl with a LED ribbon. The original seamless glass boards were also removed, and replaced with boards with clear plastic stanchions, which gave when players were hit into them. The third update to
658-529: 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
705-575: 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. Gary Nice paid $ 10,000 to acquire
752-777: The NCAA in 2026. The arena was the centerpiece of a longshot bid to bring the National Basketball Association back to Buffalo by luring the Vancouver Grizzlies ; the Grizzlies instead relocated to Memphis, Tennessee in 2001. KeyBank Center has hosted professional wrestling events from WCW , WWE , and AEW . This included TV tapings of Monday Nitro , Raw is War , SmackDown , ECW , Superstars , Main Event , NXT , Dynamite , and Rampage . WCW produced
799-590: The Sabres' former home, Buffalo Memorial Auditorium , where the team played from 1970 to 1996. The venue is also home to the Buffalo Bandits of the National Lacrosse League . KeyBank Center was previously home to the Canisius Golden Griffins ( NCAA ), Buffalo Blizzard ( NPSL ), Buffalo Wings ( RHI ) and Buffalo Destroyers ( AFL ). In addition to concerts and professional wrestling,
846-560: The annual Ilio DiPaolo Memorial Show at the venue between 1997 and 1999. In addition, the venue hosted several pay-per-view events including Fully Loaded (1999) , Fall Brawl (2000) , The Great American Bash (2005) , Armageddon (2008) , Night of Champions (2011) and Battleground (2013) . On April 8, 2017, KeyBank Center hosted UFC 210: Cormier vs. Johnson 2 , which was the first UFC event held in Buffalo for over 20 years. Performances from Barenaked Ladies ' October 9, 1998 concert at
893-540: The arena bowl. It replaced the red color used on the team logo from 1996 to 2006. The previous Sabres logo (known infamously as the "Buffaslug", and used from 2006 to 2010) was removed from the scoreboard and replaced with the current logo. All of the original TV sets were replaced with new HDTVs . New food choices were added as part of the upgraded concessions. Signage was replaced or upgraded where needed. Restrooms saw cup holders and HDTVs added for fan convenience. Also, new chimes were added, which sound two minutes prior to
940-602: The arena took place prior to the 2007–2008 season. Two illuminated Sabres logos were added in the upper level of the pavilion on both sides of the Sports Headlines bar. Also, new LED ribbon boards were installed in the arena seating bowl in conjunction with the new HD scoreboard manufactured by Daktronics . In addition, the four main speaker racks were removed and replaced and two additional speaker racks were added. The new scoreboard features four large HD video screens, surrounded by two 360-degree LED ribbon boards. The bottom of
987-400: The arena's name was changed to HSBC Arena, with the official renaming taking place on March 17, 2000. This name change coincided with the playing of the first college basketball tournament game in the arena's history. In 2011, Buffalo-based First Niagara Financial Group reached an agreement to purchase HSBC Bank's upstate New York and Connecticut branch network, including much of the core of
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#17328843142031034-659: The arena. In October 2014, the arena hosted its first Ontario Hockey League contest, a neutral-site game between the Erie Otters (who counted among its players marquee prospect Connor McDavid ) and the Niagara IceDogs . In 2019, the arena hosted the Frozen Four NCAA Ice Hockey tournament again for the first time in 16 years. The NBA carried over their annual preseason contest from Buffalo Memorial Auditorium with annual Toronto Raptors preseason games at
1081-525: The board features large Buffalo Sabres logos with giant sabres crossed behind them. The handles of the sabres are lit with blue LEDs. The Sabres logos shoot smoke out of the Buffalo's nostrils every time a Sabres goal is scored or when the Sabres win at home. Later in 2008, a mural was installed in the lower pavilion near the main entrance, containing pictures from the 2008 NHL Winter Classic held at Ralph Wilson Stadium, now known as Highmark Stadium , in nearby Orchard Park . The fourth update took place during
1128-469: The floor and ceiling. Additional new facilities include a state of the art fitness center, new coaching offices, film rooms where players and coaches can watch previous games, and a players lounge with a kitchen and team chef. Also, the new Sabres locker room features a Wall of Fame featuring team history, the names and numbers of retired team jerseys. Limestones that were salvaged from the former Buffalo Memorial Auditorium are surrounded by glass, which features
1175-470: 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
1222-464: The ice while it was being remotely moved. This happened minutes after a few players ended practice and hours before a game between the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins . Nobody was injured, but the game was postponed. The scoreboard was replaced later that season. The first update to the arena took place after the conclusion of the 1998-1999 hockey season. 95 seats were added behind the last row of
1269-461: 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. The Buffalo Rapids were unveiled in February 2005 after an online contest to name the team. Buffalo Braves won
1316-431: The names of all team players throughout franchise existence. Visiting team locker rooms were also expanded from 3,230 to 3,511 square feet (300.1 to 326.2 m ). Finally, a new post-game interview room was also built. In addition to the new locker rooms and training facilities, the public spaces within the arena were also upgraded. Also as part of the update, the arena took on the Sabres Blue and Gold color scheme inside
1363-552: The new venue. Canisius College played select home games at the arena from 1996 to 1998, moving there after decades at the Aud. However, they moved all games on campus to the Koessler Center after the 1997–98 season. The arena has been home to the NCAA ( 2000 , 2004 , 2007 , 2010 , 2014 , 2017 , 2022 ) and MAAC (1997, 1999, 2001, 2005) men's basketball tournaments. It will also host
1410-525: The number of light fixtures needed and reducing energy consumption. The arena’s main scoreboard and roof are both being replaced in the spring/summer of 2024. Naming rights were sold to Marine Midland Bank , part of the HSBC banking group in 1996, and the building was renamed Marine Midland Arena before the first game had been played. The bank bought the naming rights for 30 years then to expire in 2026. In 1999, as part of HSBC's worldwide corporate rebranding,
1457-409: The old Marine Midland. While naming rights to HSBC Arena were not included in the sale, First Niagara, HSBC, the Buffalo Sabres and other parties reached an agreement to establish a new naming rights deal with First Niagara. The name of the arena became First Niagara Center that summer, with the official renaming taking place that fall. First Niagara bought the naming rights for 15 years, approximately
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1504-510: The opening faceoff each period. This lets fans know to head towards the seating areas. Finally, the Sports Headlines bar has now been replaced by the Labatt Blue Zone. The ice rink itself also saw a multimillion-dollar upgrade with adding a new dehumidifier system and cooling tower. All of the Zamboni machines were replaced and upgraded to feature laser beam leveling. These upgrades improve
1551-473: The quality of the ice surface. Outside, a new LED ribbon board was added to the entrance pavilion which can display upcoming events, scores, and team information, though it was subsequently removed to make way for the construction of a new pedestrian bridge to the adjacent LECOM Harborcenter complex in 2014. The fifth update features the creation of the Tops Markets Alumni Plaza. In July 2012,
1598-467: The remainder of the time that was left on HSBC's naming rights deal with the arena. KeyCorp announced its plans to purchase First Niagara—and thus also the naming rights to the arena—on October 30, 2015. Although exterior signage was installed during the week of August 11, 2016, the renamed KeyBank Center became official on September 19, 2016. The venue hosted its first Buffalo Sabres regular season home game on October 12th, 1996. The arena hosted
1645-523: 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
1692-526: The season KeyBank Center KeyBank Center is a multipurpose indoor arena located in Buffalo, New York , United States. Originally known as Marine Midland Arena , the venue has since been named HSBC Arena and First Niagara Center . Home to the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League since 1996, is the largest indoor arena in Western New York , seating 19,070. It replaced
1739-535: 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. 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
1786-729: The second round of the playoffs. The Razorsharks went on to win the 2005-2006 ABA Championship. The Express hired Ron Moore, a Brooklyn native and former New York Knick to serve as head coach beginning in November 2006. At the end of November 2006, Ron Moore resigned from the Express and was replaced by co-owner Marsha Blount, who will serve as interim head coach. The team announced they have relocated to Paterson, New Jersey Blue Division Red Division White Division Blue Division Red Division White Division Blue Division Red Division White Division Blue Division Red Division White Division This article about
1833-412: The space located between the arena's entrance pavilion and the parking ramp saw the concrete bridge columns covered with brick. All of the team members that the Buffalo Sabres have had throughout existence are now featured on plaques that are mounted to the bricks. In addition, fans of the Sabres are able to purchase custom plaques that will be featured alongside the team members. Alumni Plaza's centerpiece
1880-438: The summer and early fall of 2011. The major renovation included the demolition and installation of brand new locker rooms, decor and concession updates as well as fan enhancements. This $ 6 million locker room project led by Cannon Design of Grand Island saw an expansion from 8,000 to 15,220 square feet (743 to 1,414 m ) in size. The new Sabres locker room is designed as a circular room, complete with illuminated team logos on
1927-437: The summer of 2016 on the exterior due to the renaming from First Niagara Center to KeyBank Center. The entrance canopies that featured hockey images were replaced. New exterior signage was installed during the week of August 11, 2016 and KeyBank debuted the rebranded arena on September 19, 2016. Also, a new LED lighting system was installed by Ephesus. This allows the arena to provide better lighting while significantly reducing
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1974-662: 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
2021-514: 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 . Roster Last transaction: February 9, 2006 Roster Last transaction: February 4, 2007 After all games . Waived during the season Traded during the season Acquired during
2068-473: The venue has hosted major events including the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament , 1999 Stanley Cup Finals , 2003 Frozen Four , 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships , 2012 NLL All-Star Game , 2016 NHL Draft , UFC 210 , 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and 2019 Frozen Four . What was originally known during construction as Crossroads Arena opened September 21, 1996, replacing
2115-554: 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
2162-545: 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
2209-626: 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
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