There will be no miracle save in Albany -- as expected, the Attack is moving to San Jose.

Attack owner Herb Chorbajian confirmed to the Albany Times-Union yesterday that he and Walter Robb have sold the team to a group which will relocate it for the 2004 season.

The Attack, which had the National Lacrosse League's second-worst home attendance last season, was the subject of relocation rumors following each of the past two seasons.

In 2002, it wasn't clear where the Attack might go, although Portland was often suggested as the destination. This time, San Jose was always the leading candidate.

The problem was the attendance, plain and simple. Albany never drew well, and, as a result, the team never turned a profit.

"We tried," Chorbajian said. "We gave it as good a try as we could, and a lot of people worked hard. But sometimes you work hard, and it just doesn't work out. That was the case here."

Goaltender Rob Blasdell, the Attack's very first player, also saw the empty seats.

On Monday, the NLL will introduce San Francisco venture capitalist Peter Wendell and Toronto businessman John Bergsma as the leading investors in the new ownership.

Chorbajian will continue to own a small stake in the team (as will Robb), but it won't be the same for the franchise's founding owner.

"You work on something for four years, and you develop a following and meet a lot of people," Chorbajian said. "It's not easy to sell this team, but really, it was the only practical option."

The National Hockey League's San Jose Sharks will market the team, continuing a recent trend of hockey teams buying NLL franchises. A year ago, Kroenke Sports (owner of the NHL's Colorado Mammoth) purchased the Washington Power and moved the team to Denver, where it was an instant hit.

In possible upcoming moves, the Minnesota Wild reportedly is close to buying the Columbus Landsharks, while the Phoenix Coyotes have been looking to move the New Jersey Storm to the desert.