2012–2013: Franchise acquisition

Tawan Slaughter partnered with Franklin Jackson to purchase an American Basketball Association (ABA) franchise for the city in November 2012 at a cost of $5,000.^[1] However, Jackson left the partnership soon after to form the ABA's Buffalo Blue Hawks.^[1]

Slaughter paid $3,500 in May 2013 for entry into the Premier Basketball League (PBL).^[1] This was the second PBL franchise in city history, following the Buffalo Stampede.

In preparation for her team's first season, Slaughter had them participate in the July 2013 Summer Pro League in Los Angeles.^[2] The leading scorer at that showcase was Amir Billups, former Fredonia Blue Devils player and second cousin of Chauncey Billups.^[3]

In November 2013, it was announced that Slaughter was launching the Buffalo 716ers for the 2013–14 PBL season.^[4] The team takes its name from the 716 area code, widely known as the area code for Buffalo and much of Western New York.^[5] Slaughter simultaneously launched a second PBL team, the Erie Hurricane in Erie, Pennsylvania.^[4]

2013–2014: Inaugural season

The team's inaugural season began with a 92–108 road loss to the Rochester RazorSharks at Blue Cross Arena on December 31, 2013.^[6]

Home games were played at Tapestry Charter School, which the team referred to as The Thunderdome due to its raucous crowds.^[7]

Glenroy Carr was named to the 2014 All-PBL Team for his performance during the season.^[8] Carr led the team in rebounding, with Kelvin Agee leading in both scoring and assists.^[9]

Tawan Slaughter coached her team to an 8–7 record in the East Division, but the club failed to qualify for the playoffs.^[8]

2014–2015: Second season and playoff controversy

Team co-captain Amir Billups was killed in a February 2015 car accident.^[10] The team retired his jersey prior to their 143–114 home win over the Philadelphia Flight on February 21, 2015.^[11]

For the second consecutive year, Glenroy Carr was named to the All-PBL Team for his performance during the 2014–15 season.^[12]

After the team finished with a 7–10 record in the East Division, it was originally announced that the club had made the playoffs.^[12] However, PBL owners changed the playoff structure after top seed Bloomington Flex was expelled from the league, ending Buffalo's season.^[13]

In protest of the league's actions, Tawan Slaughter made plans for her team to join the American Basketball Association for the 2015–16 ABA season.^[13] Just prior to the season starting, Slaughter changed course, and the 716ers returned to the Premier Basketball League.^[14] The ABA consequently brought suit against the team, claiming Slaughter was in breach of contract.^[15]

2015–2016: Final season

Former Buffalo Braves star Ernie DiGregorio was hired as Director of Operations for the 2015–16 PBL season, and to help market tickets for the team's new home venue of Burt Flickinger Center.^[16] DiGregorio replaced outgoing general manager Donald Felice, who had left to found the Western New York Thundersnow.^[17]

Tawan Slaughter moved the Erie Hurricane to Dunkirk, New York and renamed them to Chautauqua Hurricane for the 2015–16 PBL season.^[18]

In their final season, the 716ers finished with an 9–6 record in the Northeast Division and qualified for the playoffs.^[19] They were eliminated in the semifinal round by the Rochester RazorSharks.^[20]

Tawan Slaughter folded the team after the 2015–16 season and sold the Chautauqua Hurricane to new ownership.^[21]

2013–2014

2014–2015

2015–2016