ALBANY — When the Albany Empire open their season Sunday afternoon, it will be with one goal in mind — winning a third straight National Arena League title.
“That’s what we’re all here to work for, to be a part of history, to make history. To finish the season the number one team three years in a row, to three-peat. So it’s definitely on all of our minds, but we’re just going to take it one game at a time,” said wide receiver Darius Prince, last season’s MVP.
Prince leads a bevy of returning veterans — half of Albany’s roster was on the team last season — who will take the field against the Orlando Predators (0-1) at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Sunday’s game will bring to a close an eventful offseason. Ex-NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown became co-owner in March and his father, former Albany Firebird Eddie Brown, was named vice president of operations. Two days before the NAL season started, the team parted ways with Tom Menas, the coach in both of Albany’s NAL championship seasons. Menas was replaced by offensive coordinator Damon Ware, who understands the three-peat pressure is on.
Empire vs. Predators
When: 2:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: MVP Arena, Albany
“When you build something special, things just become an expectation. And so our town, our administration, obviously it’s kind of an expectation,” Ware said.
Both Browns will be at the game Sunday.
“I’m excited to see the environment, everyone at the block party,” Antonio Brown said.
Though Brown hinted on Twitter in early April that he’d play if MVP Arena sold out (which didn’t seem likely, with plenty of tickets still available Saturday), he dismissed the possibility.
“Obviously I’m a great player but it’s not about me. It’s about the Albany Empire, our players, the…
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