Billings ‘malls’ Albany for Arena Bowl XXXIII championship

They used to play a bowl game in Atlantic City Convention Hall. Yes, a football game indoors in a venue that was far from a domed stadium. New Jersey went that one better on Friday as the Billings Outlaws defeated the Albany Firebirds, 46-41, in Arena Bowl XXXIII.

How was the Boardwalk Bowl one-upped in the Garden State? The Arena League Championship was played in a mall. Yes, a shopping mall. The American Dream in East Rutherford.

Billings held off Albany to win its first Arena League championship. The Firebirds had new ownership in 2024 after a short and chaotic run with Antonio Brown — yes, that Antonio Brown — as their owner in 2023.

The star of the game was Duane Brown, who caught nine passes for 125 yards and five touchdowns. Isaac Harker threw the TD passes.

For Albany, Jake Medlock threw for 213 yards and two touchdowns. Medlock injured his leg during the game, had a brace put on it and somehow managed to finish the contest while limping badly.

The Boardwalk Bowl, along with the Liberty Bowl (played at Convention Hall in December 1964), showed football could be played indoors. And we all know where that has taken football. Massive domed stadiums across the country.