Disgraced NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown completed his utter destruction of Albany Empire as the National Arena League (NAL) announced the team will no longer be able to compete in their tournament, but he has a backup plan.
Brown, 34, purchased the arena football team in April and has failed to pay league mandated fees. Each franchise is responsible for 1/7 of the league’s operating budget.
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Albany Empire paid its fees April 15, but the league has since been told that the payment was credited back to Brown, who did not pay for May or June.
He was also fined $1,000 for “Conduct Detrimental to the League” following his recent public comments regarding the team’s future.
Less than 24 hours before the league announced the removal of Albany Empire, Brown had said the team would finish this season in NAL, but would move to Arena Football League (AFL) next year.
Albany Empire to AFL?
AFL, a reboot of the classic arena league, has not confirmed Albany Empire as part of its 16-team roster, which is still incomplete.
Brown was scheduled to once again play for the team Saturday during their now-cancelled home game against Jacksonville.
The former NFL star’s ownership has been marred by scandal since he bought the team, including not paying his players.
Money seems to always be the issue for AB. He has been sued several times in the past due to problems with payments.