Reports of Players, Head Coach Gone from Albany Empire

Reports of Players, Head Coach Gone from Albany Empire

Terry O’Donnell

Update 5/1/23 1:20pm: The Times Union reports that players and coaches have not been paid since April 21st. Additionally, Albany Empire management says a number of players were suspended after an ‘incident’ on the bus ride back to Albany after the team fell to the Carolina Cobras Sunday night.

The list of players said to be gone from the team are:

  • Quarterback Sam Castronova
  • Wide Receiver Darius Prince
  • Lineman Brandon Sesay
  • Defensive Back Dwayne Hollis
  • Linebacker Nick Haag
  • Lineman Melvin Hollins

The Empire’s acting president, Alberony Denis, says it was a payroll issue that caused the non-payments. He says payments will be issued Monday afternoon.

Eight players and the head coach have apparently been fired from the Albany Empire, according to CBS 6.

This season, the first since former NFL player Antonio Brown took over, has been plagued with issues including the team’s co-owner selling his shares of the team and many of the front office staff departing. Keep in mind, the Albany Empire is only in week four of the National Arena League season.

Head coach Damon Ware took over after Tom Menas, who led the team to two championships in 2021 and 2022, was fired in April.

Two of the players let go include side receiver Darius Prince and quarterback Sam Castronova.

On Sunday, Empire owner Antonio Brown tweeted that he’s looking for new players.

feature photo: Dave Adamson on Unsplash

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