New York Empire (UFA) explained

Founded:2013
League:Ultimate Frisbee Association
Division:East
City:New York City, New York
Owners:NY Empire AUDL, LLC, Paul Stevens, Cullen Shaw, Jesse Stein, Tom Gibbons, & Nathan Shurtleff
Coach:Anthony Nuñez
Team:New York Empire
Stadium:Joseph F. Fosina Field
Playoff Berths:9
Championships:3 (2019, 2022, 2023)
Sport:Ultimate
Record:116–42

The New York Empire is an ultimate team in the Ultimate Frisbee Association based in New York City. The team is in the East Division of the league, and won its first title in 2019, its second in 2022 and its third title in 2023.[1] The Empire played its first season in 2013.

History

At the beginning of the Empire's history in late 2012, the team almost did not come to fruition, as part-owner Cullen Shaw almost took his Ultimate ownership interest to Major League Ultimate because of a pending AUDL lawsuit against the Connecticut Constitution and Rhode Island Rampage. However, Shaw kept with the AUDL and the Empire because of lower ownership costs and more abilities as a team owner.[2] The Empire's first tryout, in January 2013, attracted 60 players, more than other teams holding initial tryouts.[3] The MLU did eventually create a New York franchise, the New York Rumble, and the Empire became the first AUDL team to have a player play for an AUDL and MLU team in the same year when Isaac Saul joined the Empire in 2014 after the conclusion of the Rumble season that same year.[4]

After the 2017 season, Barbara Stevens, mother of then-Empire player Matthew Stevens, became majority owner of the team.[5] Before the 2018 season, the Empire signed Beau Kittredge and Marques Brownlee, and before 2019, the Empire signed Jack Williams and Grant Lindsley. These signings, combined with existing talent like Jeff Babbitt and Ben Jagt, created a team that some called the strongest in the league since the 2016 iteration of the Dallas Roughnecks.[6] The Empire then went 12–0 in the regular season after close calls with Raleigh and DC, and went 3–0 in the playoffs to win the 2019 championship and become only the third team in league history to finish a season undefeated.

Stadium

The Empire formerly played its home games at MCU Park in the borough of Brooklyn,[7] with some contests being played on Randall's Island. Before the 2018 season, the Empire moved to Joseph F. Fosina Field in New Rochelle, citing a lack of locker rooms and concessions at Randall's Island as well as better proximity to major thoroughways.[8]

In the 2024 season, the team will play two home matches at Trinity Health Stadium in Hartford, Connecticut.[9]

Record

YearReg. SeasonPlayoffsFinish
201311–5 (2nd in East)1–1Lost in Semifinals
201410–4 (2nd in East)1–1Lost in Semifinals
201511–3 (2nd in East)1–1Lost in divisional final
20167–7 (3rd in East)0–1Lost in divisional semifinals
20176–8 (4th in East)Did not make playoffs
20188–6 (3rd in East)2–1Lost in semifinals
201912–0 (1st in East)3–0Won championship
202110–2 2–1Lost in Championship
202212–0 (1st in East)3–0Won Championship
202312–0 (1st in East)3–0Won Championship
Total87–3513–6

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ruffner . Adam . Empire Stay Undefeated, Win First Title . . 11 August 2019 . 12 August 2019.
  2. Web site: Eisenhood . Charlie . New York AUDL Franchise Pushing Forward After Nearly Leaving League . Ultiworld . 19 December 2012 . 13 August 2019.
  3. Web site: Eisenhood . Charlie . Pro League Update: Combines, Graham, & Kondracki . Ultiworld . 31 January 2013 . 13 August 2019.
  4. Web site: Eisenhood . Charlie . NY Rumble's Isaac Saul To Join AUDL's Empire After MLU Season . Ultiworld . 9 June 2014 . 13 August 2019.
  5. Web site: Kroeker . Jo . Greenwich family puts its all into up-and-coming sport . . 12 August 2019.
  6. Web site: Ruffner . Adam . New Empire in 2019 . . 17 January 2019 . 13 August 2019.
  7. Web site: MCU Park to Host the New York Empire . . 13 August 2019.
  8. Web site: Tantillo . Nicholas . New York Empire, state's only pro Ultimate Disc League team, relocates to New Rochelle . . 12 August 2019.
  9. Web site: Empire Schedule . 2024-06-21 . WatchUFA . en.