Albany Firebirds, Billings Outlaws, & the Importance of Rivalries

Leagues are often defined by rivalries. Lakers vs Celtics, Cowboys vs Steelers, and Ohio State vs Michigan, are all matchups that have propelled their respective sports to capture the imaginations of the masses. When you have a brand-new league, it is often difficult to manufacture that sort of intrigue. And yet, in its inaugural season, Arena Football One (AF1) may have a rivalry to anchor the league with the Billings Outlaws and Albany Firebirds.

This week both teams remained atop the official AF1 power rankings, heading into a home and home matchup. In the first game in Albany, the Firebirds dominated with a 62-24 win, getting a bit of revenge on Billings for last year’s loss in ArenaBowl XXXIII. As the schedule shifts to Billings next week, the league has embraced the rivalry between two of its premier franchises, which could be vital to the continued growth and success.

A Reason to Watch

Oftentimes when we think about a league or a sport acquiring new viewers, we struggle with understanding the tendencies of casual sports fans because as people committed to the sport, we can’t understand why anyone wouldn’t love it. For example, a baseball fan would be driven to madness while trying to explain to a non-baseball fan why the sport is amazing only to be told that the game is boring.

One of the best ways to drive intrigue and interest in a sport is through a compelling storyline. People in the 1980s might not have been interested in basketball, but there was something fascinating about Bird vs Magic and Boston vs Los Angeles that captured the imagination. Heading into its inaugural season, AF1 has had the good fortune of a storyline that could attract new viewers.

Last year when the Firebirds and Outlaws played in the ArenaBowl, it was under circumstances that drew attention to the fledging rebrand of the Arena Football League (AFL). The league that had promises of a revival of the glory days of the arena game had fallen flat and gained some headlines for hosting its championship game in a shopping mall.

The game between the Outlaws and Firebirds was everything you would hope to see in an arena football game: big plays, high scoring, and going down to the wire. It also created a desire for revenge for Albany, who’s excellent 7-2 campaign was thwarted. As the teams migrated from the AFL to the new AF1, it left some unfinished business for the Firebirds.

Once again, the two teams are at the top of the league and will likely be competing for another title. Like the Celtics and Lakers in the 80s, these two teams are on opposite end of the country, and these two matchups could be a preview of the AF1 championship game (although the upstart Corpus Christi Tritons would have something to say about that).

As Albany and Billings continue to separate themselves as the faces of the league, this rivalry is only going to heat up. The league has picked up on this and has played up the rivalry in preview articles and social media posts leading up to the first matchup.

The fact that Albany won the first matchup is even better for the league and the rivalry. There is less animosity if a team continues to dominate, and a rivalry dies. In that sense, the health of the rivalry between the two teams couldn’t have played out any better. Albany got their revenge but did so by handily beating Billings. This will in turn lead to Billings looking for their own revenge. And through that, intrigue in the league will only increase.

Why It Matters

Despite what many may say, sports at the end of the day are entertainment. While the schematics and numbers appeal to some people, most people want intrigue, drama, and storylines. A rivalry between two of the best teams in a sport delivers that.

Both Billings and Albany are teams that are well-oiled machines. Both have quarterbacks that are quick processors who get the ball out to their receivers in rhythm. Both teams also feature opportunistic defenses that are always a threat to score. In the kicking game, the teams feature the two most accurate kickers in AF1. In short, these are two juggernauts of the sport.

There is something compelling about two teams operating at the peak of their powers trying to outmaneuver one another. For a league still finding its footing, having two teams that are invested in beating one another while also consistently being at the top of the standings creates a reason to watch.

For this next game, the storyline is already written. The Firebirds evened the score, and now it is on Billings to respond. The implications if they do not are rather severe. A consecutive loss would drop them to the middle of the pack in the standings and a clear step behind both Albany and Corpus Christi. It would also create a notion that they are not to the level of Albany at this time. From that perspective, this game becomes a must win.

The stakes of a game like this are rocket fuel for any league, but especially one that is so new. Rivalries create animosity and animosity increases interest in sports. This is the way that it has always been, and it is exaggerated in today’s social media era where confrontation is king.

The parallel success of these two franchises and their desire to beat one another on the field is crucial to the continued success of AF1. They give fans a reason to tune in and for casual viewers to want to come back for more. The league has hit some speed bumps during its inaugural season, but what it has absolutely nailed is recognizing the importance of this rivalry and nurturing it to help build long-term success.