For the first time since 2000 Arena Football is returning to Albany, New York. From 1990-2000 Albany had a team called the Firebirds. The Albany Firebirds had an 88-60 record in 10 seasons and also won one ArenaBowl championship. Now, after 18 seasons of being off the gridiron, they are returning to action.
Entering the 2018 Arena Football League season, the new Albany franchise is called the Albany Empire. To build their team, they hired Rob Keefe, who for five seasons and two different teams, has another shot at being a head coach. His record so far has coach is 57-29 in the regular season and 4-4 in the postseason. In total, that comes to 61-33.
Then, they picked up veteran quarterback Tommy Grady. Grady is a seven year Arena Football Veteran. In 2010, Grady was quarterback for the expansion Oklahoma City YardDawgz. Then, he led the Utah Blaze for three seasons. Next, he spent a season with the Pittsburgh Power, and finally, two seasons in Jacksonville quarterbacking for the Sharks. Now, after being off for a season, Tommy Grady has returned for the 2018 AFL Season leading the Albany Empire to battle.
However, they must face three other teams multiple times in a thirteen week schedule. Here is the 2018 Arena Football League Schedule for the Albany Empire:
2018 Albany Empire Regular Season Schedule
- April 14 Vs. Philadelphia Soul – CBS Sports Network
- April 21 at Washington Valor – AFL Now, Facebook Watch, & Mountain Sports Network
- April 28 at Baltimore Brigade – AFL Now, Facebook Watch, & Mountain Sports Network
- May 5 vs. Washington Valor – CBS Sports Network
- May 19 at Philadelphia Soul – AFL Now, Facebook Watch, & Mountain Sports Network
- May 26 vs. Washington Valor – CBS Sports Network
- June 2 vs. Baltimore Brigade – AFL Now, Facebook Watch, & Mountain Sports Network
- June 9 Vs. Baltimore Brigade – CBS Sports Network
- June 16 Vs. Philadelphia Soul – CBS Sports Network
- June 23 @ Baltimore Brigade – CBS Sports Network
- June 29 @ Washington Valor – AFL Now, Facebook Watch, & Mountain Sports Network
- July 7 Vs. Philadelphia Soul – CBS Sports Network
Albany Empire on CBS Sports Network
The 2018 season kicks-off on April 14 against the Philadelphia Soul on CBS Sports Network. Then, on May 29, June 16, and July 7, they will face the Philadelphia Soul again on CBS Sports Network. Next on CBS Sports Network, are games against the Washington Valor. Those games are May 5 and May 26. Finally on June 9 and June 23 against the Baltimore Empire.
Albany Empire on AFL Now, Mountain Sports Network, and Facebook Watch
On April 21 at Washington Valor, 28 at Baltimore Empire, May 19 at Philadelphia Soul, June 2 vs. Baltimore Brigade, and June 29 at Washington Valor. you can watch the Albany Empire in action on three different platforms. First you have the AFL’s free streaming service AFL Now, Facebooks new feature Facebook Watch, and on the streaming service Mountain Sports Network.
Make sure you follow @LWOS_IndoorFB during the 2018 AFL Season where we will keep you up to date on all things AFL from team transactions to who won and lost each game. Plus make sure you follow me @Chris_Mabry93 where I will live tweet the games on my twitter page as well as anything happening in the AFL.
