The 1990s were the heyday of the Arena Football League with the Albany Firebirds lightning up the scoreboard. Jim Malone had a front row seat to the action.

“Back then, we were the Green Bay of arena football. We were the little market that could – and did,” said Malone, a longtime Albany arena football fan. “They were important. They brought a lot of pleasure to a lot of people. Entertained thousands of us regularly, and it brought a community together.”

The former Firebirds booster club president even witnessed that elusive ArenaBowl title. Those unforgettable memories are becoming a reality once again with the AFL and the Firebirds coming back.

“Definitely made me smile,” Malone said. “I said ‘you know, that’s fitting, that’s what it should’ve been.’”

Former Albany Empire Owner Mike Kwarta and two other Capital Region businessmen recently announced their efforts to give arena football another go at MVP Arena in the newly revived AFL.

“Arena football belongs in Albany,” Kwarta said. “There’s no reason it shouldn’t be here.”

It's been quite the journey for many, who experienced a tumultuous arena football season earlier this year under the ownership of former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown.

But several former Empire front office members are back and looking to right the ship with the Firebirds.

“With the former team winning in 2019, all these things lead to huge expectations, and all of us up here love those expectations,” said Damon Ware, the new head coach and general manager of the Firebirds.

“I grew up here. So seeing the Firebirds logo back means everything,” said Jeff Levack, the new team president.

The new AFL season is expected to kickoff in spring 2024.

For Malone, he’s excited to see what the third incarnation of the AFL – and the Firebirds – can bring next year.

“I am hopefully going to get the same tickets that I had for the Empire and sit in the front row in the corner of the end zone. And enjoy the game,” Malone said.