News & notes

Could Arena Football be returning to the 518?

The folks in charge of the Times-Union Center certainly hope so, as they've been in negotiations with the owners of the Orlando Predators, who now play in the National Arena League, about a new franchise in Albany. The Albany Empire folded after winning ArenaBowl last year, and the Arena Football League followed soon after.

According to the Times-Union (natch), Empire coach Rob Keefe is being considered for the same position should Albany land a franchise in the NAL.

The Predators, historians will remind, lost to the Firebirds in the 1999 ArenaBowl.

As for a team name, they could stick with Empire, revive the Firebirds brand, or go with something else. Stay tuned.
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Siena basketball fans can breathe a sigh of relief.

Manny Camper will return to the Saints for his senior season after withdrawing from the NBA draft. I think he feels like there's unfinished business after the 2019-20 season was halted during the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament in March, after Siena won the MAAC regular season title. The departure of Don Carey to Georgetown might've also had an influence on Camper's decision.
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Last night's ICBL double-dip between the Albany Athletics & Albany Dutch has to be filed under "you had to be there".

The Dutch, acting as the home team at Amsterdam's Shuttleworth Park, had issues with their live stream on their Facebook page, so unless you were brave enough to venture out to Amsterdam, you were shut out, which lends credence to the argument that the ICBL should've considered a minor radio and/or television deal.

The first place Athletics won the opener, 1-0, but Albany Academy graduate Johnny Decker (Stony Brook) turned the tide in the nightcap with a grand slam, as the Dutch inflicted just the 2nd loss on the Athletics this season, 6-2.

Standings after Wednesday's play:

Athletics: 14-2-2.
Dutch: 10-8-2.
Mohawks: 6-9.
Independents: 1-15.

The Athletics & Mohawks will play two tonight at Shuttleworth.