The AFL is returning to Albany, and a "new team with local ownership will begin play in April," according to Skodnick & Hughes of the Albany TIMES UNION. The team will play its games at Times Union Center, and its local ownership group includes Times Union Publisher & CEO George Hearst III, Hugh Johnson Advisors President & CEO Dan Nolan and businessman Ed Swyer. The AFL Philadelphia Soul's ownership group also is "joining the local owners to run the Albany team." Soul President John Adams will "serve as president" of both clubs. The two teams' football operations "will be separate." Adams said that he expects a GM, who will "run the business operations of the Albany team, and a head coach to be hired within the next few weeks." Fans will "name the team" via an online vote, with the final five choices being "up for a fan vote." Albany last had the AFL in '09 (Albany TIMES UNION, 10/25). Adams "expects the Albany team will be profitable by the second year of operation" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/24). In Albany, Leif Skodnick notes with "just five teams participating" this past season, the AFL is seeking to "stabilize the league by having strong ownership groups operating multiple teams." Jaworski said, "It starts with solid ownership, not only here in Albany, but with every Arena League franchise. The instability in the league through the years has really hurt it" (Albany TIMES UNION, 10/25).
BETTER LUCK THE SECOND TIME AROUND: In Baltimore, Jonathan Munshaw reports the AFL Baltimore Brigade ownership group believes the team's "poor attendance" in their inaugural season is due in part because the announcement of the franchise "came roughly 90 days before the start of the season in April." Roger Mody, the Managing Partner for Arena Football at Monumental Sports, said, "We had much more lead time with the (Washington) Valor to promote the product and to spread the word about this new brand of football." The Brigade averaged 5,680 fans per game at Royal Farms Arena, finishing last in the five-team league. Mody said that Monumental is "better prepared for the 2018 season and is working on a 'comprehensive marketing plan' to increase attendance next year." That includes "buying more billboards around the city and increasing digital marketing to encourage fans to buy tickets" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/25).
