Antonio Brown owns an NAL football team but he’s not paying its players and coaches. Why?
It appears the controversial former WR can’t seem to stay out of trouble even when it’s not about something he did, but rather something he didn’t.
Though it’s unclear whether Brown owns the team or not, what is clear is that as a result of his lack of action, both players and staff have gone unpaid and that as one can imagine, is simply unacceptable in a professional environment.
Antonio Brown’s NAL team in payment controversy
According to recent reports, the Albany Empire a football team which plays in the National Arena League and is owned by former Bucs wide receiver, Antonio Brown, is currently involved in less-than-ideal situation with players and coaches having not been paid and some of it’s stars suspended. Brown who is known to have purchased 47.5% of the team in March, but has since claimed he owns 100% is said to be partially responsible for the fact that players and coaches have not been paid since April 21st.
It is understood that standard practice is for players and staff to be paid each Friday, however, this past Friday - April 28th - nobody received their usual direct deposit. The Sunday immediately after that fateful day, the Empire suffered a 56-49 loss only to see their head coach Damon Ware leave the post just one day later in response to the salary issue. Indeed, the team’s acting president, Alberony Denis, stated that the missed payments were the direct result of a problem with the payroll processors, which in turn occurred when former owner Mike Kwarta sold his share of the team to Brown.
What happens with the Albany Empire now?
With Ware now departed, the situation has only worsened with additional reports indicating that some six players have been suspended due to an altercation which took place on the team’s bus in North Carolina. Wide receiver Darius Prince, quarterback Sam Castronova, offensive lineman Brandon Sesay, offensive lineman Melvin Hollis, defensive back Dwayne Hollis, and linebacker Nick Haag were all suspended and denied room keys at an Albany Holiday Inn. To that end, Albany police were called to the establishment early on Monday morning in response to what is being referred to as aggravated assault. An investigation is currently underway, with Brown himself having given an evasive response when asked about the developing situation. The Empire who are 1-2 this season set to take on the West Texas Warbirds this coming Saturday.