Antonio Brown was extremely proud about being an owner of an indoor football league team, but that happiness has all but stopped after the recent news.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown’s Arena Football League team, the Albany Empire, has fallen into major chaos after payroll suddenly stopped over a week ago.
According to the Times Union, the Empire is currently looking for new coaches, suspended several players on the team, and also have a misdemeanor charge being addressed within the team. The report says the team has not sent out paychecks since April 21, which has led to their head coach, Damon Ware, stepping away from the team.
Players such as wide receiver Darius Prince, quarterback Sam Castronova, lineman Brandon Sesay, defensive back Dwayne Hollis, linebacker Nick Haag, and lineman Melvin Hollins were all suspended following an issue on the team bus on their return from North Carolina, the Times Union reported.
Players and coach Ware were not given hotel room keys following a dispute on the bus that stemmed from the team not getting paid on Friday. Police were called to the hotel Monday morning over reports of aggravated harassment.
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WNYT’s Rodger Wyland spoke to Brown who told him that the payment issue stemmed from switching over bank accounts from previous ownership and that it has since been rectified.
Brown now holds 95% ownership of the team.
The team dropped its second game of the season on Sunday against the Carolina Cobras, but Albany’s problems are much deeper than just wins and losses right now.
Brown tweeted on Sunday calling for the “best players in the country” looking to play for the team. The team also posted on Instagram about several openings including for head coach.
The team will now be holding invite-only tryouts this week.
The Albany Empire is now on the hunt for its third head coach through Week 4.
