ALBANY — The Albany FireWolves had a significant drop-off on the field and in the stands during their second season at MVP Arena.
While the FireWolves collapsed to a 3-15 record, the worst in the National Lacrosse League, they drew an announced average attendance of 3,610. That was the second-lowest in the 15-team NLL, ahead of only Panther City Lacrosse Club (2,813), located in Fort Worth, Texas.
Albany ended its season on Saturday with a 16-10 loss to the first-place Buffalo Bandits in front of an announced crowd of 3,558 that included a cheering section of Bandits followers who were often louder than the home fans.
FireWolves general manager and coach Glenn Clark pointed out the Bandits, who draw a league-best 14,731 at home, have been around since 1992 to earn that kind of support. He said the FireWolves are getting into the community and the schools to build recognition.
“Sometimes it’s more of a trickle than a waterfall,” Clark said. “And I think hopefully we’ll gain some momentum and I hope sort of paired together with more awareness, more visibility in the community as well as more success, we’ll start to do that. I hope so. I want it to be successful here. I think it should be and could be. I would be disappointed if it wasn’t.”
This is the NLL’s second go-around in Albany. The Attack played four seasons at MVP Arena from 2000 to 2003 before moving to San Jose, Calif., following anemic fan turnout.
The FireWolves relocated to Albany two years ago from Connecticut, where they were the New England Black Wolves. They got off to a decent start at MVP Arena in 2021-22 with a 9-9 record, a playoff appearance, and an average attendance of 5,523, which ranked 10th in the NLL.
Team president George Manias resigned a month before this season began to start his own management and consulting agency. Albany…
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