News
March 1, 2018Albany Empire Announce Weekly Coach’s Show
A.J. Kanell and Brian Mariano announced as Empire Broadcast Team
The Albany Empire announce a weekly coach’s show to be aired on 104.5 The Team, ESPN Radio. The show will be hosted by head coach Rob Keefe and will be named “State of the Empire.” It will be taped every Thursday throughout the season beginning on March 22 from 7-8pm. The location of the taping will rotate between local Recovery Sports Grills and air Saturday mornings at 9am on 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio.
The taping of the show event will be open to the public from 6:30-8pm each Thursday and feature giveaways, meet and greets with players, the team mascot and members of the Albany Empresses dance team. The first location of “State of the Empire” will be at the Recovery Sports Grill in East Greenbush on Thursday, March 22. A full list of locations will be revealed at a later date.
“It’s all about getting to know the players and getting information on the team’s past and upcoming games,” said Rob Keefe, Head Coach of the Albany Empire. “The show will be fun, engaging and informative and keep our fans up to date every step of the way while we build our Empire.”
The Empire has also announced that A.J. Kanell will be the radio voice of the Albany Empire and the play-by-play broadcaster for the 2018 season. The Empire also name Brian Mariano as the color analyst. Empire games will be broadcast live on Rewind 105.7FM.
“Having a good play-by-play and color analyst is crucial to any team,” said George Manias, Vice President of the Albany Empire. “We are confident that A.J. and Brian will be a great one-two punch and bring both expert analysis and bring the excitement of Arena Football to fans who are unable to attend the game in person.”
Kanell is also currently the play-by-play analyst for the Siena College men’s basketball team on Talk 1300 AM as well as the host of the weekly coach’s show with Siena basketball head coach, Jimmy Patsos. Prior to calling Siena games, Kanell was a play-by-play broadcaster for Northeastern University, 101.3 FM ESPN Radio Burlington and Syracuse University. Kanell will host the half-hour long pre-game and post-game shows, be the in-game broadcaster, and co-host “State of the Empire” with head coach Rob Keefe.
Mariano is currently the Producer at 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio for “Big Board Sports,” and host of the “Paddock Pass” podcast on 1045TheTeam.com. He is also the play-by-play and color analyst for UAlbany College football and basketball.
Don’t miss your opportunity to witness history as Arena Football returns to Albany! Fans can secure their single game tickets for the Albany Empire’s inaugural game at TheAlbanyEmpire.com. Also available are 2018 season tickets, flex packs, group outings and inaugural game family 4 packs at 518-533-2200 or at www.TheAlbanyEmpire.com!
