The Albany Empire, a professional indoor football team based in Albany, New York, announced they have signed defensive back/wide receiver Vonte Bates for the 2023 National Arena League season. Bates is a former Bethel University (McKenzie, Tennessee) standout. During Bate’s career at Bethel, he appeared in 30 total games recording 239 total tackles, ninth in program history, 111 of which were solo. Bates also produced six forced fumbles and five interceptions for Bethel. The Watertown, Tennessee native joins former Bethel standout quarterback Sam Castronova who has been a star with the Empire.

The Albany Empire have been members of the National Arena League since 2021 and play home games at MVP Arena. They previously competed in the now defunct Arena Football League (AFL) and won the last ArenaBowl before the AFL folded.