National Arena League kicks Antonio Brown's team out of league due to multiple financial scandals

Well, Antonio Brown’s venture into the area of National Arena League Football will be a short-lived one.

Earlier in 2023, the former NFL star wide receiver became the owner of the Albany Empire, one of the teams in the NAL. After previously stating his wishes to purchase an NFL franchise, Brown turned his attention to a new league, and was let into the fold, which might’ve been a mistake on their part.

On Thursday, the NAL announced that Brown’s ownership was unanimously terminated after a vote due to various financial scandals.

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

Additionally, the NAL added some more context to their decision, including the fact that Brown simply wasn’t paying his share.

“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,” explained the NAL. “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.”

As you can see, the NAL is probably thinking they wish they never involved their league with Antonio Brown. As for the former NFL wide receiver, there’ll certainly be eyes on his next move, whatever that is in the future.