Antonio Brown. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Antonio Brown becomes part owner of Arena Football team

Antonio Brown is apparently giving up on a return to the NFL and now focuses his attention on being part owner of an Arena Football team.

Brown was introduced on Thursday by the Albany Empire of the National Arena Football League as a new part owner of the team. He recently purchased a stake in the team. 

Brown's dad, Eddie Brown, was a legend in the Arena Football League and will also have a role in the Empire's front office as the vice president of football operations, via TMZ Sports. Brown played for Albany during his time in the AFL.

Brown talked about his connection to Albany during his introductory press conference on Thursday. 

From Sports Illustrated:

“I grew up here watching my dad be successful and watching this building erupt. … For me, to be in a family-oriented city like Albany, being here with my dad and my kids and just giving the community and players the opportunity to live out their dreams. So for me, it was easy. I’m just excited to be here and excited to bring Albany Empire a ‘three-peat’ and see the community and these players live out their dreams,”

He has not played in the NFL since the 2021 season and has only appeared in 16 games since the start of the 2018 season. His promising career was derailed by off-field and legal issues that have not gone away. 

The National Arena League began in 2017 and has seven teams in Albany, Carolina, Fayetteville, Jacksonville, Orlando, San Antonio and West Texas.  

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