The Buffalo Bandits are a professional indoor lacrosse team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and play at the KeyBank Center. The Bandits were established in 1992 and have won 4 NLL championships in their history (1992, 1993, 1996, 2008). They are one of the most successful franchises in NLL history. In this article, we will look at the origins and ownership history of the Buffalo Bandits lacrosse team.
Original Ownership (1992-1997)
The Buffalo Bandits were founded in 1992 as an expansion team in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League (MILL), which was renamed the NLL in 1997. The original ownership group was called Buffalo Sports, Inc. and included key members John Gurtler, Les Bartley, Bennett Wales, John Finamore, and Michael French. This group led the efforts to establish the first professional indoor lacrosse team in Buffalo and oversaw the early success of the franchise, including 4 championship game appearances and 3 titles in their first 5 seasons. In 1996, the Bandits set an NLL attendance record that still stands today, drawing over 17,000 fans to a playoff game against Rochester.
Key Original Owners:
- John Gurtler: Local businessman who served as the original owner and governor of the Bandits. He helped lead the bid for the expansion team back in 1991.
- Les Bartley: General manager who built the early championship rosters and served as coach from 1992 to 1996.
- Bennett Wales: Minority owner who was key in the initial founding and funding of the team.
This original ownership group was focused on establishing lacrosse and building a winning foundation in Buffalo during the early years.
Joe Finley Era (1997-2007)
In 1997, Bennett Wales sold his share of the Bandits to NHL star Joe Finley, who became the new majority owner and governor. Finley had played for the Buffalo Sabres during his NHL career and was well known in the Buffalo community.
Some key developments during Joe Finley’s ownership:
- In 1997, the Bandits reached an agreement with Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson to play home games at the HSBC Arena after 5 seasons splitting time between Memorial Auditorium and Buffalo State.
- The Bandits won their 4th NLL championship in 2008 under GM Steve Donner and head coach Darris Kilgour.
- Finley helped the team through periods of challenge in the late 1990s and early 2000s when the NLL was struggling for stability and franchises.
Finley was committed to Buffalo and helped ensure the Bandits remained a fixture in the city’s sports scene. In 2007, he sold the team to a new ownership group led by Ron Bertovich and Curt Styres.
Owners during Finley era:
- Joe Finley: Majority owner from 1997 to 2007
- John Gurtler: Minority owner until full sale to Finley
Bandits Holdings, LLC (2007-2011)
In 2007, the Bandits were sold to Bandits Holdings, LLC, a group headed by Curt Styres and minority partners Ron Bertovich, Ed Frantz, and Page Higgins. The purchase price to buy the team from Joe Finley was reportedly around $2 million USD.
Key facts about ownership during this era:
- Styres was a Canadian businessman and owner of Arrow Express, a transportation company.
- Bertovich was a local businessman who helped coordinate the purchase and transition.
- Frantz and Higgins were also minority partners in the ownership group.
- This group kept the Bandits in Buffalo and continued to invest in building the team’s presence.
The Bandits qualified for the playoffs 4 out of 5 seasons under this group’s leadership. Their ownership tenure was relatively short, spanning just 2007 to 2011.
Owners from 2007 to 2011:
- Curt Styres: Majority owner and governor
- Ron Bertovich: Minority owner
- Ed Frantz: Minority owner
- Page Higgins: Minority owner
Terry and Kim Pegula (2011-Present)
In 2011, the Buffalo Bandits were sold once again, this time to Terry and Kim Pegula, owners of the Buffalo Sabres NHL team and several other sports franchises. The Pegulas purchased the Bandits for a reported $4.5 million from the Styres/Bertovich group.
Some key notes about the Pegulas’ ownership:
- Terry Pegula is a multi-billionaire businessman and founder of Pegula Sports and Entertainment (PSE).
- Buying the Bandits added to Pegula’s growing portfolio of Buffalo sports teams, including the Sabres (NHL) and Buffalo Bills (NFL).
- Kim Pegula serves as team president, while John Wawrow Jr. serves as vice president of PSE and Bandits team governor.
- The Pegulas have invested significantly in the team, including building a dedicated practice facility in nearby Hamburg.
- The team continues to be one of the NLL’s top franchises, making the playoffs every year of the Pegulas’ ownership.
Terry and Kim Pegula have a strong commitment to Buffalo and have ensured the Bandits remain an important part of the city’s sports landscape. Their ownership brings financial stability and influence.
Current Ownership:
- Terry Pegula: Principal owner and founder of Pegula Sports and Entertainment
- Kim Pegula: Team president and owner
- Pegula Sports and Entertainment: Parent company that owns and operates the Bandits
Ownership History Summary
To summarize the Buffalo Bandits’ ownership history:
Years | Owners |
---|---|
1992-1997 | Buffalo Sports, Inc. – John Gurtler, Les Bartley, Bennett Wales, John Finamore, Michael French |
1997-2007 | Joe Finley (majority owner) |
2007-2011 | Bandits Holdings, LLC – Curt Styres, Ron Bertovich, Ed Frantz, Page Higgins |
2011-Present | Terry and Kim Pegula, Pegula Sports and Entertainment |
Ownership Impact
The different ownership groups have each left their mark on the franchise:
- Original owners established lacrosse in Buffalo and built early championship teams.
- Joe Finley provided stability and kept the team in the city through ups and downs.
- Bandits Holdings, LLC maintained success before selling to the Pegulas.
- Terry and Kim Pegula have invested substantially into the team’s operations.
Despite the changes, the Bandits have remained a steady presence and one of the NLL’s most successful teams throughout their existence, with their passionate fan base a constant through the years. Each ownership group has made important contributions.
Conclusion
In summary, the Buffalo Bandits have been owned by four different groups over their 30+ year history in the NLL. The original founding ownership maintained control in the early years until Joe Finley took over as majority owner. A group led by Curt Styres then purchased the team before the current owners, Terry and Kim Pegula, bought the Bandits in 2011. The Pegulas have established a new era of ownership backed by their substantial resources. Throughout it all, the support from Buffalo fans has never wavered.