Tag: Antonio Brown

Mar 11, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown poses for photographers after the game between the Atlanta Hawks and the LA Clippers at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Antonio Brown’s team kicked out of Arena League

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The National Arena League kicked the Albany Empire out of the league Thursday after new owner Antonio Brown failed to pay either a required assessment or a fine he received following recent public comments.

“After exhausting all avenues, the NAL board of owners have decided unanimously to terminate the membership agreement of the Albany Empire,” the news release said. “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.”

Brown became majority owner of the upstate New York team in April, and under terms of league ownership, all teams are required to pay one-seventh of the NAL operating budget, via monthly transactions. The league, in the release, said Brown paid the April assessment but didn’t pay the May 15 installment or a $1,000 fine for conduct detrimental to the league.

The league said the team accountant informed officials “that it didn’t seem like Mr. Brown was going to pay the assessment or fine,” driving the league to hold the emergency conference call.

The membership gave the Empire until noon ET on Thursday to make the payment. When the team didn’t pay, the NAL canceled the Empire’s Saturday home game against the Jacksonville Sharks and will adjust the rest of the league’s 2023 regular season schedule without the Albany team.

Brown’s only comment thus far has been a tweet that read, “Major league not minors.”

The Empire are 1-6.

Brown’s father, Eddie Brown, is a legend in the former Arena Football League and starred for the Albany Firebirds.

Since the younger Brown bought the Empire, the team has been through multiple head coaches, and Brown released both of the quarterbacks on the roster after last weekend’s loss to the Orlando Predators.

Brown, the former NFL All-Pro wide receiver, had vowed to play for the team but had yet to do so. He practiced on Wednesday and caught passes from quarterback Dalton Cole, who played at Division III Brevard College and for the Sharks for a short time.

–Field Level Media

Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; NFL free agent Antonio Brown smiles in the third quarter in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Antonio Brown, partner dispute ownership of Arena team

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former NFL All-Pro Antonio Brown is in a dispute with a business partner over who actually owns he Albany Empire of the National Arena League.

On March 7, at a news conference in Albany, N.Y., Brown was announced as a part owner of the team. But on Saturday, Brown told the local Times Union that he owns the team.

“I’m the owner, 100 percent owner. I don’t take that lightly,” Brown told the newspaper in a phone interview. “My job as the owner (is) to provide the players and community, the front office, everyone that experience, the experience of Albany, and I’m excited about that role.”

But Mike Kwarta, who welcomed Brown to the team at that news conference, said that isn’t true. He told the newspaper that he and Brown each own 47.5 percent of the team, with Charlotte and Steve von Schiller holding the other 5 percent. He added he’d paid $774,042 in worker’s compensation insurance, while Brown said he footed the entire $1.5 million bill.

When Brown was introduced as part of the ownership group in March, financial agreements were not disclosed.

Brown, the former NFL All-Pro wide receiver whose career has been marked by controversy, said Kwarta “couldn’t afford things in regards of (moving) the business forward,” per the report.

The Empire open their season Sunday at home against the Orlando Predators.

Brown, 34, spent some time as a child in Albany, where his father is a legend. Eddie Brown, who starred for the Albany Firebirds in the heyday of the Arena Football League, and also joined the Empire franchise as vice president of operations last month.

–Field Level Media

Mar 11, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown poses for photographers after the game between the Atlanta Hawks and the LA Clippers at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Antonio Brown takes part ownership of Arena team

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former NFL All-Pro Antonio Brown promised to be hands on in his new role as a part-owner of the Albany Empire of the National Arena League.

Brown was introduced Thursday at a news conference in Albany, N.Y., where his father is a legend. Eddie Brown, who starred for the Albany Firebirds in the heyday of the Arena Football League, also is joining the franchise as vice president of operations.

The Albany Times Union said Empire owner Mike Kwarta declined to offer details about Brown’s ownership agreement but commented that they are “equal partners, if you would.”

“Touchdown” Eddie Brown played in Albany from 1994-2001, and Antonio Brown was in elementary school with his dad joined the Firebirds.

“It means everything to be back here in the community where I grew up as a kid,” Antonio Brown said. “It’s about keeping Albany football, sustainability, being here forever, and offering the community, the kids, the players, a great opportunity to be successful.”

He said he isn’t just investing money in the franchise.

“I just want to be here hands-on, help the players be successful on and off the field, and just be an advocate here in the community to bring it out. If that’s going out in the community, getting people to the game, getting kids to come out here, events in the stadium, so whatever it takes to help us be our best selves and hoist a trophy,” Brown said.

Kwarta said he had no worries about partnering with the controversial Brown, who faced suspensions, criminal charges and civil lawsuits in his NFL days. Kwarta said their conversations had focused on Brown’s “childhood, what his dad did here, the legacies, and what can we do for the community, and that’s completely what we’re focused on.”

Eddie Brown was voted the best player in Arena Football League history in 2006 as the league celebrated its 20th anniversary.

The current Arena league doesn’t prohibit player-owners, but Antonio Brown said that won’t happen.

“I did everything as far as playing in the career of football,” the younger Brown said. “I won’t retire because I still got the game, but just working on other things.”

Brown, 34, played 12 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs released him on Jan. 6, 2022, days after he left the field in a game against the New York Jets and threw part of his gear into the stands.

A four-time All-Pro, Brown won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers in 2020. In 146 career games, he made 928 catches for 12,291 yards and caught 83 touchdown passes. He also returned one kickoff and four punts for TDs.

The Empire open the season April 16 at home against the Orlando Predators.

–Field Level Media

Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; NFL free agent Antonio Brown smiles in the third quarter in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Antonio Brown won’t face charges in domestic case

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Prosecutors in Florida dropped a domestic violence case against former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown.

An arrest warrant on a battery charge in Tampa, Fla., was made public on Dec. 1 following a report Brown’s former fiancee made to police. She said he threw a shoe at her that struck her in the ponytail.

“The victim had no injuries but believed the shoe was meant for her head,” read a police report obtained by Fox 13 in Tampa. “The suspect would not open the door or come outside to speak with officers. The suspect also during this incident attempted to issue an informal eviction to the victim.”

ESPN said online records show the case was dropped on Monday.

Brown, 34, played 12 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs released him on Jan. 6 after he left the field in a game against the New York Jets and threw part of his gear into the stands.

This is not the first accusation of misconduct against Brown. He pleaded no contest to assaulting the driver of a moving truck in 2020 and was sentenced to probation. In October, a court in Broward County, Fla., awarded $1.2 million in damages to the driver in a civil lawsuit.

The NFL suspended Brown for eight games in 2020 for a variety of violations of the league’s personal-conduct policy, which included the incident with the driver and a woman’s accusations of sexual misconduct.

A four-time All-Pro, Brown won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers in 2020. In 146 career games, he made 928 catches for 12,291 yards and caught 83 touchdown passes. He also returned one kickoff and four punts for TDs.

–Field Level Media

Jan 2, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown (81) on the field before the game against the New York Jets during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Arrest warrant issued for ex-NFL receiver Antonio Brown

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown is the subject of an arrest warrant in Tampa, Fla., following allegations of domestic violence.

He is wanted on a battery charge following an incident Brown’s former fiancee said occurred on Monday.

“The suspect (Brown) exited the residence and threw a shoe at the victim striking her in the ponytail,” read a police report obtained by Fox 13 in Tampa. “The victim had no injuries but believed the shoe was meant for her head. The suspect would not open the door or come outside to speak with officers. The suspect also during this incident attempted to issue an informal eviction to the victim.”

Brown, 34, played 12 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs released him on Jan. 6 after he left the field in a game against the New York Jets and threw part of his gear into the stands.

This is not the first accusation of misconduct against Brown. He pleaded no contest to assaulting the driver of a moving truck in 2020 and was sentenced to probation. In October, a court in Broward County, Fla., awarded $1.2 million in damages to the driver in a civil lawsuit.

The NFL suspended Brown for eight games in 2020 for a variety of violations of the league’s personal-conduct policy, which included the incident with the driver and a woman’s accusations of sexual misconduct.

A four-time All-Pro, Brown won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers in 2020. In 146 career games, he made 928 catches for 12,291 yards and caught 83 touchdown passes. He also returned one kickoff and four punts for TDs.

–Field Level Media

Mar 26, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Former NFL player Antonio Brown gestures to the fans while standing in from t of former professional boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. during the second half between the Miami Heat and the Brooklyn Nets at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Former WR Antonio Brown to give rap performance at nightclub

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown is trying to break into the music industry, and on Thursday night he will give a live rap performance.

Brown will headline a 5-hour, 30-minute concert at Whiskey on Water, a nightclub in Worcester, Mass. He previously performed at Rolling Loud — a music festival in Miami — this past July.

Half of the tickets for the event have already sold out.

Brown, 34, spent time with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2010-18), New England Patriots (2019) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020-21) across 11 seasons in the NFL.

In 146 career games (110 starts), Brown hauled in 928 receptions for 12,291 yards and 83 touchdowns. He is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and also won a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay at the end of the 2020 season. He was also named to the Hall of Fame All-2010s team.

–Field Level Media

Jan 3, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown watches the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Antonio Brown says NFL not on his radar next season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Controversial free-agent wide receiver Antonio Brown, who earlier this month said he wanted to retire as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, now says he has no plans to play in the NFL next season.

“Don’t play yourself lookin’ to me to play,” Brown said Saturday during an interview at a Fan Controlled Football league game. Just before that, Brown said: “Obviously, we live the game, but you can’t play forever. I think I’m a great player that’s done everything in the game. “

In March, the 12-year NFL veteran expressed interest in joining the Cleveland Browns.

Brown, 33, most recently played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, catching 87 passes for 1,028 yards in his two seasons there (2020-21) but winning his only career Super Bowl with the team. He removed his pads and jersey and left the field during the third quarter of Tampa Bay’s Week 17 road win over the New York Jets.

A few days later, the Buccaneers released Brown, and the wideout claimed the team forced him to play hurt and covered up facts related to his injury. Then-head coach Bruce Arians denied the allegations.

Brown played for the Steelers from 2010-18, totaling 837 receptions for 11,207 yards and 74 touchdowns. He was named to seven Pro Bowls and four All-Pro teams during his nine seasons with the team. But after he got into an argument with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and was benched for an important Week 17 game for missing practices, he requested a trade after the 2018 season.

Brown then played in one game for the New England Patriots in 2019 before being released amid allegations of sexual assault. He joined the Buccaneers for the next two seasons after serving an eight-game suspension handed down by the league in a separate incident that involved an altercation with the driver of a moving truck. He entered a no-contest plea to charges filed in the case and received probation.

–Field Level Media

Dec 2, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) prepares to play the Los Angeles Chargers at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Antonio Brown tweets he wants to ‘Retire A Steeler’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Free agent wide receiver Antonio Brown took to social media Monday, saying he wants to retire as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers — a team with whom he had an acrimonious breakup.

“Just wanna Retire A Steeler,” Brown tweeted, later pinning the tweet to the top of his profile.

“Not Play Jus Retire so we Clear,” the 33-year-old added in a follow-up.

It was not clear whether the controversial figure meant he was ready to retire from football now. In March, Brown expressed interest in joining the Cleveland Browns.

Brown was named to seven Pro Bowls and five All-Pro teams during his nine-year stint with the Steelers (2010-18), totaling 837 receptions for 11,207 yards and 74 touchdowns. But after he got into an argument with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and was benched for an important Week 17 game for missing practices, he requested a trade after his 2018 season.

Brown last played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He removed his pads and jersey and left the field during the third quarter of Tampa Bay’s Week 17 road win over the New York Jets.

A few days later the Buccaneers released Brown and the wideout claimed the team forced him to play hurt and covered up facts related to his injury. Then-head coach Bruce Arians denied the allegations.

Brown told TMZ Sports in March he won’t undergo an ankle surgery he needs until he has a deal with a new team.

–Field Level Media

Mar 11, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown reacts to fans after the game between the Atlanta Hawks and the LA Clippers at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Antonio Brown says no ankle surgery until he has a deal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Free agent wide receiver Antonio Brown says he won’t undergo the ankle surgery he needs until he finds an NFL home.

Brown, who will be 34 in July, caught 42 passes in seven games last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“I need to get my ankle fixed, but I just want to make sure I got an obligation or a commitment from a team,” he told TMZ Sports. “It’s a lot for a guy to go do surgery without an idea of where you gonna work, or who you going to work for.”

The last time potential NFL employers saw Brown, the controversial wideout was removing his pads and jersey in the third quarter of Tampa Bay’s Week 17 win against the New York Jets.

A few days later the Buccaneers released Brown, who later claimed the team forced him to play hurt and covered up facts related to his injury. Then-head coach Bruce Arians denied the allegations.

“I’m a player first,” Brown told TMZ Sports. “I couldn’t even be in this position without being a football player. So I never want to take that for granted. I would love to continue my career. I got a lot of game left in me.”

A seven-time Pro Bowl selection, Brown has 928 catches for 12,291 yards and 83 touchdowns in 146 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2010-18), New England Patriots (2019) and Bucs.

–Field Level Media

Jan 2, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown (81) on the field before the game against the New York Jets during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Antonio Brown: Removing jersey ‘probably wasn’t necessary’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Newly exiled Antonio Brown said his bizarre exit from a game last week in which he removed his pads and jersey during live action “probably wasn’t necessary.”

Brown made the comments Monday to TMZ while he signed autographs on his way into a Los Angeles restaurant to dine with Kanye West.

“It probably wasn’t necessary or professional,” Brown said in response to questions.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released Brown late last week following his decision to make an abrupt exit during the third quarter of Tampa’s Week 17 win against the New York Jets.

Brown would later say the Buccaneers forced him to play hurt and covered up facts related to his injury, an accusation that coach Bruce Arians forcefully debunked Thursday, the day the team officially released Brown.

The Bucs (13-4) host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in an NFC wild card game.

–Field Level Media