The city of Buffalo briefly hosted a National Basketball Association franchise known as the Buffalo Braves, who played their home games at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium during the 1970s and featured star players like Bob McAdoo. However, due to complex ownership shifts, arena lease complications, and financial pressures, the franchise was sold and ultimately relocated prior to the 1978-79 NBA season. The team moved to San Diego to become the San Diego Clippers before eventually settling permanently in Los Angeles, leaving Buffalo without an NBA team since.