BUFFALO, N.Y. — The former owner of the Buffalo Sabres and Adelphia Communications founder John Rigas has died after a long battle with cancer. 

Rigas owned the Sabres from 1998 until 2003. 

Rigas also made headlines when he and his son Timothy were convicted in 2004 of conspiring to conceal Adelphia's debt. 

He was sentenced to serve a 12-year prison sentence, but was released early in 2018. 

For the last few years, Rigas lived in Coudersport, Pennsylvania, and that is where the Wellsville native is being laid to rest. 

Arrangements however are not yet finalized. 

John Rigas was 96 years old.