A former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl champion is struggling to find a way to continue his professional football career. Antonio Brown has not played in the NFL since the 2021 season when he was cut after he stripped out of his uniform in the middle of a game against the New York Jets.
Brown retired and then unretired from professor football this offseason. He became the owner of the Albany Empire, a team in the National Arena League. Brown was intending to play football for the Empire this season. However, Brown’s failure to pay league bills has him out of a job once again.
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Antonio Brown out of NAL
According to a statement by the NAL, the Empire are no longer a member of the league after Brown refused to make a May assessment payment and was in dispute over an April assessment:
“After exhausting all avenues, the NAL board of owners have decided unanimously to terminate the membership agreement of the Albany Empire. The decision was reached after an emergency conference call of the members in good standing to discuss the Empire’s failure to pay their league mandated and overdue assessments. Each team is responsible to pay for 1/7 of the league’s operating budget via monthly assessments starting in April. The Empire’s owner, Antonio Brown, was also fined $1,000 for Conduct Detrimental to the League for his recent public comments. Mr. Brown refused to pay that fine.
After acquiring the Albany Empire, new team owner Antonio Brown paid the Empire’s April assessment. The team then failed to make their May 15th assessment payment and last week just before the Empire’s game in Orlando, the league was notified that the April assessment was being challenged. That payment was subsequently credited back to Mr Brown. The league informed his accountant, Alex Gunaris, who in previous communications requested that the league communicate directly with Mr Gunaris regarding financial obligations with the Empire. Mr Gunaris was informed of the league’s attempts to collect the delinquent assessments and he communicated to the league that it didn’t seem like Mr Brown was going to pay the assessment or fine.
Once the league was alerted of Mr Brown’s intentions, an emergency conference call was set up. During the call, it was decided to give the Empire until Thursday at noon to make their payment, after which time the league would be forced to cancel their home game with Jacksonville, and terminate their membership in the National Arena League effective immediately. Unfortunately Mr Brown has failed to meet the deadline to his teams required financial obligations, and as a result the league has terminated his membership Agreement.”
Antonio Brown continues to find trouble
Brown continues to dig himself a hole in the public spotlight. He’s an incredibly gifted athlete and wide receiver. Brown earned seven Pro Bowl trips during his time in the NFL. He made first-team All-Pro four times in his career. Brown earned second-team All-Pro one time.
At 34 years old, Brown would still have the talent to play in the NFL. One of his best gifts as an athlete was his speed, but Brown was a smart route runner who would still find ways to get open. He played just seven games in his last NFL season. Brown scored four touchdowns.
It’s unfortunate that Brown cannot control his behavior because he’s a treat to watch play.
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