Courtesy Paul Post
By Paul Post
A first-of-its kind sports event for Glens Falls drew a large crowd to Cool Insuring Arena while giving local businesses a welcome boost.
More than 3,500 people turned out February 7 for Cage Wars, a mixed martial arts fight promotion with more than a dozen bouts on the card. The event was sponsored by Anthony Constantino, founder and CEO of Sticker Mule, an Amsterdam-based online custom printing company, who is also seeking the 21st District congressional seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, President Trump’s choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
“As far as Cool Insuring Arena is concerned, we did our best just to make it a sporting event and an event that brought people to Warren County and downtown Glens Falls,” General Manager Jeff Mead said. “That’s what we’re all about, bringing people and groups to the City of Glens Falls for entertainment and the business community. From that aspect, it worked out perfectly; 3,500 people came downtown on a Friday night while the hockey team was out of town. They stay at local hotels, go out to dinner before and out to bars afterward.”
“The crowd was well-behaved here,” he said. “I’m told when they left our venue they went up the hill and had a good time at a local establishment. Hopefully it was great night for downtown Glens Falls.”
Founded by Tim Rankins in 2007, Cage Wars had been held at Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady since 2018. But the partnership came to an abrupt end after its last show there on November 1.
Constantino, part owner of Cage Wars, said he’s supported the business with more than $500,000 over the past five to six years.
A Republican, he’s also an avid and outspoken supporter of Trump and was threatened with legal action last October for placing a huge “Vote for Trump” sign atop a tall Amsterdam factory building. The city’s mayor, a Democrat, said it posed a safety hazard by distracting motorists along the New York State Thruway.
Constantino said Rivers Casino’s decision to part ways with Cage Wars was also politically motivated, which the casino denies. “It was solely a business decision as Rivers Casino continuously evolves our event lineup to provide new and exciting opportunities for our guests and the community,” it said in a statement.
Constantino rented Cool Insuring Arena for Cage Wars and offered free admission. Publicists said prior to the event that it was going to be a sell-out with 6,000 people in attendance. Although far short of that figure, the arena benefited financially with a large percentage of food and beverage sales revenue.
There have been no firm commitments, but Mead said there have been discussions about hosting another Cage Wars this fall.
“I wanted to do this before I knew I was running for Congress,” Constantino said. “I was upset that my friend’s (Rankins) business was hurt. People want jobs, they want money, but they also want fun. You need to create fun, entertaining things for people. Cage Wars is one of those things. It’s a great brand, it’s a great name, an asset.”
Cage Wars fighter Matt Secor owns a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy in South Glens Falls, and Atlas Jiu Jitsu has an academy in Glens Falls.
Queensbury Hotel General Manager Tyler Herrick said Cage Wars generated about 100 room nights from Cage Wars participants and fans. “The impact was also felt in the dining rooms, where we experienced an influx of individuals similar to when there’s a home Thunder game,” he said.
“Cool Insuring Arena does so much for the downtown business community,” he said. “I think all establishments experience an uptick in business when there is any event at the arena. On home Thunder nights it’s hard to find an open table in any restaurant from 5-7:30 p.m. and late-night activity also experiences a boost following a game. However, it’s not just the Thunder games.”
Other events such as Puppy Bowl, Adirondack Stampede rodeo, concerts, comedy shows and high school athletics also have a significant impact. “The list goes on and on,” Herrick said. “Glens Falls is hopping any time 3,000 to 5,000 people descend on Cool Insuring Arena.”
About 1,400 people turned out for this year’s (Feb. 9) visit by the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters. A snowstorm and competition from Super Bowl parties kept some people away.
The arena will host the first four days of Section II high school basketball action in early March, but finals will be held at Hudson Valley Community College, a huge disappointment to local fans as Glens Falls High School has the state’s top-ranked team.
Mead said the entire scholastic sports schedule was delayed a week, creating unfortunate scheduling problems. “The Thunder schedule comes out in May,” he said. “By the time (after Labor Day) we were made aware that the whole high school schedule got pushed back a week, we weren’t able to move Thunder home games.”
The Thunder have 11 home games remaining in March and April.
While struggling on the ice, attendance is quite strong with average crowds of 4,474 people, including 11 sell-outs.
The arena is scheduled to hold Glens Falls Brewfest on Saturday, May 4 and Mead said Heritage Hall is hosting many more events, such as a recent Adirondack Theatre Festival gala, following major renovations to the venue.