Sports enthusiasts and local businesspeople had hoped the third time would be a charm for a beloved Albany basketball franchise. Those hopes apparently have been dashed.
The Albany Patroons wanted to rekindle the 1980s magic the then-CBA team brought to the Washington Avenue Armory. Last August, officials with the North American Premier Basketball League announced the 2018 season would begin in January, and the Patroons—who returned for four years in 2005 — were back.
But, according to the Times Union, the team hasn't attracted fans and is suffering financially. The paper says two home league championship playoff games Sunday and Tuesday against the Ohio Bootleggers will likely be the last for the green and gold. One offical said there is a 50-50 chance the Capital Region will host a pro basketball team next year.
