Albany plays defense against ESPN commentator's dig

ESPN commentator Rebecca Lobo made a remark about Albany Monday night during one of, if not, the most historic women's basketball games of all time. While discussing the family of Caitlin Clark and their plans while staying in the host city for the latest round of the women's NCAA tournament at the MVP Arena, Lobo stated, "and by the way, good luck finding something to do in Albany."

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- ESPN commentator Rebecca Lobo made a remark about Albany Monday night during one of, if not, the most historic women's basketball games of all time. While discussing the family of Caitlin Clark and their plans while staying in the host city for the latest round of the women's NCAA tournament at the MVP Arena, Lobo stated, "and by the way, good luck finding something to do in Albany."

Albany had the honor of hosting the most dominant teams in the women's NCAA tournament, seeing the best of the best at the collegiate level in a season that has everyone talking. The comment received backlash from Albany residents.

Lobo addressed the comment shortly after on X (formerly Twitter), posting -

"I’ve spent many fun-filled weekends in the Albany area over the years coaching my kids’ AAU teams. No shade intended towards the capital city and the outstanding job they did hosting the regional."

Lobo's comment about the great hosting job Albany did echoed that of Dawn Staley, South Carolina women's basketball head coach.

Staley commended the job Albany did hosting on Sunday, saying "I just want to say, I thought this region did an excellent job at hosting all the teams. The hotels, the gyms, very accommodating." Staley wrapped her comment by saying "I hope that if you make a bid for it again, you got my vote. But again, people don't listen to me."

Albany, the capital of the Empire State, is an area filled with a rich history, restaurants, and entertainment venues such as the MVP Arena (where the infamous line was uttered).

Just last year, Albany was ranked the seventeenth-best place to live in the country by U.S. News.

Lobo's comment lit up social media, with local politicians and business owners sounding off and defending the city.

NEWS10 took to the city streets Tuesday and heard much of the same.

“A festival every weekend, free music all summer long, I mean it’s awesome,” said Bam Lynch, one of the owners of Cheesecake Machismo on Hamilton Street.

Lynn Beaumont was quick to reference the clusters of pushpins on their cheesecake shop wall's world map, proving there are lots of reasons to visit the city.

“Well, it’s just silly," Beaumont said of Lobo's comment, "because I mean, people come from all over the region, the country, and even the world, which is why we have this map here of where people come from, because they’re coming to Albany to do something.”

Whether you’ve got business at the Capitol, or are there for a spooky ghost tour in October, post-business entertainment isn’t hard to find. Across the street from the center of state politics at the Empire State Plaza, you can rock out to concerts in the summertime and skate at an ice rink in the winter. Famous comedians and other big acts regularly play at the Egg, and there’s no shortage of dining options. 

Restaurateur Dominick Purnomo has already offered in a post on X to get Lobo out of her hotel.

“It felt unnecessarily harsh, and I think for a city of our size, we have a lot to offer," Purnomo said.

“It was Easter weekend. You could’ve gone to Mass and taken in the cathedral. If you’re into history, we have the Albany Institute of History and Art, we have the New York State Museum," Purnomo said, adding that for fans of the musical "Hamilton," there is much to learn in Albany about the Schuyler family's roots.

The games tipping off in Albany didn't steer away big celebrities, like Jason Sudeikis, from attending in-person.

Stars don't just come to Albany to take in entertainment, but to create it.

“The Gilded Age spent six weeks here filming in Albany. We are a 400-year-old city. There’s lots to do," said Albany County Film Commissioner Deb Goedeke, who is also Discover Albany's Convention Services Manager. After the organization created a web page specifically for visitors of the tournament, and had a booth set up outside the arena, Goedeke was disheartened by Lobo's comment.

“It hurt my heart a little bit, because we have worked so hard to make this event so special and not just for our community, but for the people coming from out of town," Goedeke said.