Albany Firebirds (af2)

This article is about the AF2 franchise. For the AFL franchise that played 1990–2000, see Indiana Firebirds. For the AFL franchise playing since 2024, see Albany Firebirds (2023–).
Albany Firebirds
Established 2002
Folded 2009
Played in Times Union Center
in Albany, New York
League/conference affiliations
AF2 (2002–2009)
  • American Conference (2002–2009)
    • Northeast Division (2002–2004)
    • Eastern Division (2005–2006)
    • East Division (2007–2009)
Current uniform
Team colorsBlack, royal blue, red, burnt orange, gold, white
           
MascotFlames
Personnel
Owner(s)Capital District Sports, Inc.
Head coachTony Bowick
Team history
  • Albany Conquest (2002–2008)
  • Albany Firebirds (2009)
Championships
League championships (0)
Conference championships (0)
Division championships (2)
Playoff appearances (3)
Home arena(s)

The Albany Firebirds were a professional arena football team of the AF2 based in Albany, New York. Albany was granted an expansion team in 2002[1] and began play as the Albany Conquest. The Firebirds played their home games at the Times Union Center. They are the second arena football team for Albany, as the city was granted an expansion team, the Albany Firebirds, in the Arena Football League in 1990. The team moved to Indianapolis, Indiana in 2000 and played as the Indiana Firebirds through 2004 before disbanding.

Albany Conquest (2002-2008)

Then the city of Albany ventured into the world of arena football again, this time joining the AF2 in 2002, creating a new franchise by the name the Albany Conquest. The team enjoyed little success and in 2009 for marketing purposes changed their name back to the Albany Firebirds before disbanding in 2010. They cited low attendance and poor fan support. Due to financial difficulties and low support, the Conquest were expected to fold following the 2008 season when a new investor could not be found.[2] The franchise had notified the league in late September that it would not return, but following a meeting with the Albany Times Union and the operator of the Times Union Center, an agreement was reached that would allow the team to return for 2009. The team also acquired the rights to the old Firebirds name and logo in a rebranding effort to raise interest in the team, hoping to bring back fans from the days of the original Firebirds team.[3]

On April 28, 2009, it was announced that the Albany Firebirds had offered former NFL quarterback Michael Vick a contract. Under the terms of this contract, Vick would be required to donate $100,000 to a local animal shelter.[4] The following day, the team retracted the announcement, claiming that it had been a publicity stunt created by the team's marketing department. The team's owner, Walter Robb, who knew nothing of the stunt, was cited as saying, "I'm a dog lover and I don't want anything to do with (Vick)."[5]

  1. ^ "Arena football returns to Albany". OurSports Central. June 20, 2001. Archived from the original on 2017-12-08. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  2. ^ "Turnout to decide if 'Quest will end". Times Union. June 29, 2008. Retrieved October 4, 2008. [dead link]
  3. ^ "Conquest staying, change to Firebirds". Times Union. October 4, 2008. Retrieved October 4, 2008. [dead link]
  4. ^ Singelais, Mark (April 28, 2009). "Firebirds Want to Sign Michael Vick". Times Union. Archived from the original on May 1, 2009. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
  5. ^ "Albany Firebirds' owner says Michael Vick contract offer was a bad call". NJ.com. Associated Press. April 29, 2009. Archived from the original on 2021-11-13. Retrieved November 12, 2021.