Why has the National Arena League kicked Antonio Brown’s Albany Empire out indefinitely?
Albany Empire will no longer compete in the NAL until further notice.
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Antonio Brown (Image via AP)
Antonio Brown’s football team, the Albany Empire, has been kicked out of the NAL. The news comes after Brown failed to pay the monthly installment of the league’s operating budget.
The former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver became a part owner of the New York-based team alongside his dad, Eddie, in March 2023. Eddie Brown was a star offensive playmaker for the Albany Firebirds during the 1990s.
According to the NAL rule book, every owner is required to pay 1/7 of the league’s operating budget via monthly assessments, which started in April. Even though Brown paid the April installment on time, he failed to meet the May requirements. The officials then gave Brown an extension until Thursday noon, which he missed as well.
After assessing the situation, the chief accounting officer of NAL informed them “that it didn’t seem like he (Mr. Brown) was going to pay the assessment.”
Earlier today, the NAL hierarchy declared, “After exhausting all avenues, the NAL board of owners has decided to terminate the membership agreement of the Albany Empire.” Moreover, Brown received a $1,000 penalty for not complying with the league’s regulations, which he has yet to pay.
The Empire did not have a good run under Brown. Coaches came and went frequently, and he even released both quarterbacks after last week’s 1-6 defeat to the Orlando Predators.
Brown, before becoming part owner, pledged that he would play for the Empire at some point, but it did not happen. He did join his boys during the training session from time to time but never made an official appearance.
Will Compton mocks Antonio Brown after Empire’s exit from the NAL
Popular NFL talk show ‘Bussing with the Boys’ host Will Compton mocked Antonio Brown after his latest antics. Outspoken Compton, who isn’t much of a fan of the former Buccaneers player, it seems, posted a video of Brown talking smack about his Empire players.
Ban on the Empire is not the first time Brown’s name has come up in a scandal. While he paid April’s NAL installment for the Empire, he completely duped Shuki International, a jewelry company. Browned owed Shuki an excess of $1 million for purchasing diamond fingers, a white gold chain, and a ring by December 1, 2022, which he never paid.
Furthermore, on April 14, a Miami-Dade County, Florida, judge issued an arrest warrant against Brown for not paying child support to his ex Wiltrice Jackson. It seems the 34-year-old is a trouble magnet.
Amidst all the tension and mischief, Brown’s agent declared that various NFL franchises, including the Baltimore Ravens, wanted to sign his client.
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Ishan Misra
(3023 Articles Published)