Albany gets back into the game
Lacrosse league franchise relocates from Connecticut to play at Times Union Center
Professional indoor lacrosse is returning to New York’s capital city.
The National Lacrosse League will announce Tuesday it is placing a franchise at the Times Union Center, according to a source familiar with the situation. The team plans to begin play in the fall.
The New England Black Wolves, an NLL franchise that plays at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., is being sold and relocated to Albany. The NLL approved the move on Friday.
The Times Union Center called a news conference for 4 p.m. Tuesday to announce “a new sports franchise” has signed a long-term lease to play at the arena. The ownership group is led by Oliver Marti, founder of a health care-focused hedge fund. He’s also a former All-american college and professional lacrosse player who is an investor in the Premier Lacrosse League, an outdoor league.
The Albany Attack, another NLL franchise, played at Times Union Center from 2000 to 2003 before moving to San Jose, Calif.
“I am thrilled to hear that news,” said CBA graduate Mike Regan, who played for the Attack. “Oliver Marti is a good friend and I think he sees the growth of the game in the area and knows the indoor game will sell itself.”
Earlier this month, the NLL canceled plans for an abbreviated season this spring because of uncertainties arising from the coronavirus pandemic. The NLL is moving forward to start a traditional season in the fall.
The NLL had 13 franchises split into three divisions last season before the remainder of the schedule was canceled due to COVID -19.
Besides the Black Wolves, those franchises are the New York Riptide, Philadelphia Wings, Georgia Swarm, Buffalo Bandits, Rochester Knighthawks, Toronto Rock, Halifax Thunderbirds, Saskatchewan Rush, Colorado Mammoth, San Diego Seals, Calgary Roughnecks and Vancouver Warriors.
The NLL includes many of the same stars who play outdoors during the summer in the Premier Lacrosse League, which has visited the University at Albany.
Both leagues have several former Ualbany standouts, including Connor Fields, Blaze Riorden, Lyle Thompson, Miles Thompson and Ty Thompson.
The Albany Attack left the area in 2003 because of dwindling crowds. Majority owner Herb Chorbajian compared it to “throwing a party and nobody shows up.”
But the popularity of lacrosse in the Capital Region has grown since then, partly due to the success of Ualbany, which reached the sport’s Final Four in 2018.
“Since the Albany Attack days, the Capital Region has seen continued growth,” Regan said. “SUNY Albany certainly helped bring the game into the spotlight.”
Also, the new franchise has hired George Manias as team president. He served in the same role for the Arena Football League’s Albany Empire, which drew large crowds for two seasons and won a championship before the league declared bankruptcy in 2019.
The arrival of the NLL team gives Times Union Center another new tenant to go with the return of the Albany Empire, which is scheduled to start play on May 22 under the banner of the National Arena League.