$18 million in improvements to the BCA also were announced.
By CRAIG POTTER
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The rumor has come to pass. Curt Styres will be putting a team in Halifax, Nova Scotia for the 2019-20 season.
The owner of the Rochester Knighthawks agreed to sell the team to Pegula Sports and Entertainment (PSE) on Thursday. Terry and Kim Pegula are the owners of PSE.
Players and coaches who are under contract to Styres at the end of the 2018-19 will be obligated to go to Halifax, according to Dave Rowan, the National Lacrosse League COO.
Terry Pegula said at a press conference this afternoon that PSE has been awarded an expansion franchise for the 2019-20 season.
“The Knighthawks have been a very important part of the NLL and the Rochester sports community for more than two decades. This franchise has played a significant role in the development of the NLL, as both a founding member and as a model organization for sustained on-field success. We are proud to expand our contribution to the NLL’s unprecedented growth and further our commitment to the Rochester community,” said Terry and Kim Pegula.
At the moment, Rochester is the only expansion team for next season.
“But stay tuned in the next couple of months,” Rowan said. “There may be other teams as we are looking to expand.”
A statement from Styres appeared on the Knighthawks website this morning. Styres was in Halifax, making the announcement that he was moving his franchise to there for the 2019-20 season.
Mr. Styres said, in part, in his statement, “As I reflect on my time in Rochester, I am proud of everything we have accomplished together over the past 10 years. I am excited to be with you for the 2018-19 season and am truly honored to be able to celebrate the 25th Anniversary season with you. This season will also give my family and I the opportunity to thank everyone of you for your dedication and loyalty to the Rochester Knighthawks…
“Upon conclusion of our 2018-19 season, I will take another step in my journey to grow the game of lacrosse nationally as I begin my newest venture, bringing an NLL franchise to the City of Halifax. For NLL fans of the Rochester community, it was very important for my family and I to make sure that your Rochester franchise would be well looked after.”
Pegula Sports and Entertainment manages the businesses of each of the Pegula family-owned sports and entertainment properties, including the Buffalo Bills (NFL), Buffalo Sabres (NHL), Rochester Americans (AHL), Buffalo Bandits (NLL), and Buffalo Beauts (NWHL).
$18 million for BCA
Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren announced that a total of $18 million, a combination of government and private investment, has been awarded for improvements to the Blue Cross Arena.
“The Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial is a major engine of job creation, tourism and Downtown vibrancy for our city – so any investments we make here are going to really help our economy,” said Mayor Warren. “It is very, very gratifying that our partners in State Government and the new management under the Pegulas understand the value that this facility brings to our city and region. Maintaining a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue in our center city is a critical component in the fight for more jobs, safer more vibrant neighborhoods and better educational opportunities for all of Rochester’s citizens.”
Pegula Sports and Entertainment (PSE) has pledged to invest up to $1.5 million to install a new scoreboard at the Blue Cross Arena (BCA). State Senators Joseph Robach and Richard Funke also have secured $3.5 million in State funding for BCA upgrades.
The Senate funds bring the amount of State funds committed to the BCA to $13 million. Governor Andrew Cuomo has pledged to spend up to $6 million for BCA upgrades under the ROC the Riverway Program, and Rochester Assemblymembers Joseph Morelle, David Gantt and Harry Bronson have already secured $3.5 million for the BCA.
The City of Rochester has committed $3.3 million to the BCA for a number of capital projects, including the new marquee and a roof replacement. And the New York Power Authority has pledged $275,000 for lighting upgrades.
The building will be expanded on the Exchange St. side to include new locker rooms, office space, new restrooms, and more concession space.
The Pegulas are having the present scoreboard taken down and replaced with a state-of-the-art scoreboard.
The improvements to the BCA are expected to make it a more friendly experience for fans, whether they are there for a sporting event or other events.
All these investments will set the stage for future upgrades totaling $22 million, which will make the BCA more competitive on a national level to bring in bigger events and acts.