Defend the Den: FireWolves Ink Deal With MVP Arena

The FireWolves Are Fully Committed To Albany.

Three years ago, the Albany FireWolves loaded the moving vans and trekked 155 miles due northwest from the franchise’s previous home of the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, putting a stake through the playing surface of the MVP Arena in the New York State capital of Albany. Located just half a mile from the seat of Empire State government (near the western shores of the Hudson River), the now 34-year-old venue has been the post-relocation setting of an NLL odyssey that has flipped from unappealing and grim to downright inspiring, as the 2024 league runner-up FireWolves suddenly possess a future as bright as any club in the world’s foremost box lacrosse alliance.

With team, arena and municipality thrilled for all the possibilities that may lie ahead, the FireWolves and MVP Arena management recently agreed to a brand new three-season lease agreement, with the entities reserving mutual renewal options for each of the subsequent three campaigns that will follow.

For FireWolves Partner & CEO Oliver Marti, the stability that accompanies the lease arrangement serves as validation for all the hard work that has gone into establishing the Albany market.

“We want people to come out and enjoy a great experience,” explained the former NLL player turned hedge fund/asset manager. “It doesn’t happen overnight. We have to be investing in the community and we’ve been doing that for the last few years. To have the MVP Arena reciprocate and have a good confidence in us, and us in them, it creates that longevity.”

Coming off an 11-7 regular season, which was of course followed by a Quarterfinals victory over the Halifax Thunderbirds, and a Semifinals triumph over the San Diego Seals, the FireWolves have their sights set on a title run courtesy of a young core that includes Alex Simmons, Tye Kurtz, Ethan Walker and newly added 2023 first overall pick Dyson Williams. After falling a hair short versus their in-state rivals from Buffalo, this group is 100 percent built to last.

Glenn Clark, the man tasked with both acquiring the talent, and coaching up the assembled roster, knows the challenges at play in the Albany marketplace while recognizing the steps needed to prove to fans that his team of young stars is embedded for the long haul.

“I’m in the community, I’m playing men’s hockey, golfing and interacting with a lot of people, and there is that narrative that it’s a hard market and teams come and go, and they can’t keep teams,” noted the FireWolves Head Coach & General Manager.

Clark later added, “This is another step in saying we’re committed to this community, we’re committed to this arena, and we want longevity and stability.”

MVP Arena opened its doors in 1990 with “Ol’ Blue Eyes” himself, Frank Sinatra, inaugurating a building that has played host to a bevy of entertainment and sporting events, amid serving as the current abode for the FireWolves, Siena College basketball program and the Albany Firebirds, who will be debuting in 2025 as a member of Arena Football One.

In the wake of the ironed-out lease agreement, the MVP Arena general manager Bob Belber was not shy in expressing his excitement for the deal he and his partners with the FireWolves successfully consummated.

“MVP Arena is thrilled to continue our relationship with the FireWolves. We look forward to being a part of the Capital Region’s tremendous support of the team, and we are honored to be their home.”

With the new lease in their back pocket, the FireWolves quest for championship glory begins on November 30, when the Saskatchewan Rush pay a visit to downtown Albany.