ALBANY, NEW YORK – Albany NLL, today announce that the Albany FireWolves will be the official name for the National Lacrosse League team that recently relocated to the Capital Region. The FireWolves name was developed to pay tribute to the lacrosse teams that came before them, while also recognizing and honoring the founders of the great sport of lacrosse. The New England Black Wolves, the team that relocated to the Capital Region and the old Albany Attack both had wolves in their moniker, as does the new FireWolves name, which also incorporates the indigenous roots of the sport.
After receiving over 2,000 name submissions online, three names were chosen by the organization and put to a fan poll, where over 4,000 fans responded. The name choices the organization focused in on were the Attack, Black Arrows, and the FireWolves. Ultimately, following the poll, team owners and executives selected the final name that they best thought would represent the community and team they want to field and began developing logos, colors, and all the other branding elements surrounding the selection.
“The Albany FireWolves is a unique name that represents what we are going to be on and off the field,” said George Manias, Team President. “On the field, we will be fierce, like a wolf and intimidate foes who come into our den. A planned fire, like a fireplace or fire pit, always encourages a gathering. Our games will be a gathering place for our fans to rally and support our team onto victory. We will be one with our community, like a PACK and become the alpha in the Capital Region as we will offer our fans the live sporting event and entertainment value they have grown accustom to.”
The FireWolves logo features the team’s official colors, a maroon red, a fiery red, a dark purple, and grey accent. The logo encapsulates a unique mystical wolf emerging from fire with fierceness and strength. The entire brand identity was designed by Upside Collective, a local firm providing branding, graphic design, web development, video production and visual effects.
The team’s inaugural season motto “PACK the House!” will symbolize the organization’s plans to create a pack mentality and becoming one with the local community. In addition, it symbolizes filling the seats each and every game to support the on-field product featuring a tough, fierce lacrosse team coupled with a world class game entertainment experience. The FireWolves’ inaugural season is set to begin in December and all home games will be played at the Times Union Center. More details on the 2021 schedule will be announced at a later date.
The team also announced that CDPHP will be the inaugural season presenting partner, whose brand will be heavily showcased alongside the growing Albany FireWolves brand. Simultaneously, the FireWolves announce that 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio will be the radio broadcast partner for the organization’s inaugural season. 104.5 The Team will broadcast all home and away games, including pre and post-game shows. In addition, 104.5 The Team will also broadcast and a weekly “coaches” radio show throughout the entire season.
“As the area’s leading health plan, CDPHP has a long-standing commitment to the health, wellness, and cultural vibrancy of this community,” said Dr. John D. Bennett, President and CEO of CDPHP. “That’s why we are thrilled to partner with the Albany FireWolves and the Times Union Center to bring a National Lacrosse League team to the Capital Region. We wish the team and its players the very best of luck!”
“We take pride in providing our listeners with the best local sports content, especially a sport with so much history and popularity in our area as lacrosse” said Kevin Rich, Market President of Townsquare Media Albany. “Pairing the 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio brand with the Albany FireWolves is a perfect match and we can’t wait to join the rest of the community in cheering on the FireWolves this season.”
Team uniforms, mascot, dance team name and other core elements of the team’s brand will be announced at a later date.
Fans can now visit the team’s newly updated website and social media channels with the announcement of the team name and logo. The new website URL is www.AlbanyFireWolves.com. The team can be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram under the name @AlbFireWolves.
Select merchandise with the team name and logo are on sale now at the team’s executive offices, located inside the atrium of the Times Union Center. A more robust merchandise line is under development and will be made available at a later date.
Fans can secure their place to have first selection of their seats by joining the team’s priority seating list. A $50 refundable deposit grants fans the first opportunity to purchase tickets for the upcoming season once tickets are officially on sale in April. For more information regarding tickets, visit www.AlbanyFireWolves.com or call 518-362-4900.
The Albany FireWolves 2021 Inaugural Season is presented by CDPHP.
About Albany FireWolves
The Albany FireWolves is the Capital Region’s very own Professional Box Lacrosse team, playing in the National Lacrosse League beginning in the fall of 2021. For more information, contact the Albany FireWolves Front Office at (518) 362-4900 or by going to AlbanyFireWolves.com. Follow the team on Facebook at facebook.com/AlbFireWolves, Twitter @AlbFireWolves, and Instagram @AlbFireWolves.
About the National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is North America’s premier professional lacrosse league. Founded in 1986, the NLL ranks third in average attendance for pro indoor sports worldwide, behind only the NHL and NBA. The League is comprised of 14 franchises across the United States and Canada: Albany NLL, Buffalo Bandits, Calgary Roughnecks, Colorado Mammoth, Georgia Swarm, Halifax Thunderbirds, New York Riptide, Panther City Lacrosse Club (taking action on the floor in the 2021-22 season), Philadelphia Wings, Rochester Knighthawks, San Diego Seals, Saskatchewan Rush, Toronto Rock, and Vancouver Warriors. For more information, visit NLL.com and find the NLL on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About ASM Global
ASM Global is the world’s leading venue management and services company. The company was formed by the combination of AEG Facilities and SMG, global leaders in venue and event strategy and management. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 325 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention, and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues. From Aberdeen to Anchorage, and Sydney to Stockholm, its venues connect people through the unique power of live experiences. ASM Global’s diverse portfolio of clients benefit from the company’s depth of resources and unparalleled experience, expertise and creative problem solving. Each day, the company’s 61,000 passionate employees around the world deliver locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to deliver maximum results for venue owners and amazing experiences for guests. By consistently looking for new ways to envision, innovate and empower the spaces and places that bring people together, ASM Global elevates the human spirit while delivering the highest value for all stakeholders. For more information, please visit www.asmglobal.com.
About Times Union Center
Times Union Center is a full-service entertainment and sports facility featuring a wide variety of family shows, sporting events, trade shows and concerts. Owned by Albany County and managed by ASM Global, Times Union Center opened in 1990 and is home to the Albany Empire of the National Arena League and the Division I Men’s College Basketball Siena Saints. For more information, please visit www.timesunioncenter-albany.com.
About CDPHP®
Established in 1984, CDPHP is a physician-founded, member-focused and community-based not-for-profit health plan that offers high-quality affordable health insurance plans to members in 26 counties throughout New York. CDPHP is also on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram.
