Former Steelers WR Antonio Brown In Massive Fight With Co-Owner Of Albany Empire

Former Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver, Antonio Brown cannot keep his name out of the news or the gossip circles. In just the past couple of weeks, Brown has been accused of not paying for over $1 million worth of jewelry, talking trash about other players, and refusing to leave the field prior to an Albany Empire game. 

The Empire is part of the National Arena League out of Albany, New York, and Brown and his father Eddie "Touchdown" Brown bought into the team in March of 2023. The elder Brown played wide receiver for them when they were still known as the Albany Firebirds in the 1990's and they are reportedly thrilled to be back "home". 

Former Steelers WR Antonio Brown Claims Full Ownership

Now Brown is embroiled in a nasty "he said-he said" disagreement over who actually owns the team, with both sides pointing fingers. According to the Times-Union, Brown is claiming full ownership of the team. When asked, he said it is all his, not partially his as previously reported. 

"I'm the owner, 100 percent owner. I don't take that lightly," Brown told the Times-Union reporter by phone. "My job as the owner (is) to provide the players and community, the front office, everyone that experience, the experience of Albany, and I'm excited about that role."

When the news first broke about Brown and his father buying into the team, it was as a partnership, with Mike Kwarta and Charlotte and Steve von Schiller as minority partners. But Brown told the reporter that isn't true, instead saying he bought out Kwarta. 

"I just think Mike couldn't afford the things in regard of (moving) the business forward."

For his part, Kwarta denies that, saying that the ownership structure hasn't changed since the Brown's joined the team. According to him, he and Brown each own 47.5% of the team with the von Schillers owning the remaining five percent. 

Every comment made by Kwarta or Brown leads to an immediate retort by the other. Brown has gone on record saying he paid $1.5 million in workers' compensation insurance required for the team to be able to practice in the state of New York. However, Kwarta says that the organization has also paid $774,042 into workers' compensation insurance. 

Brown says he is proud to be a part of the Empire and to help support the city of Albany (but he owns the whole team). 

"I'm grateful for Mike (Kwarta) giving me the opportunity to further my role for the business, I just thank Mike for being able to let me come in and further the business and help me sustain Albany football, because that's kind of been his goal from when I came here."

"I want to partner with the government officials, the people that own MVP Arena to be able to raise awareness and develop real programs that can help the community and the people out in Albany."

Brown warns that people should refrain from typecasting him. 

"I don't know everything, I'm studying everything, but I'm definitely doing a better job with leaving some of my bigger chains at home, wearing a suit. People look up to me as a player, they look up to me as an artist, and I'm trying to get that ownership mentality... it's kind of hard when someone looks at you as a football player or looks at me as an artist or only as an entertainer, to be able to be taken serious as a boss, taken serious as someone who's running the company."

Ironically, all of this comes on the heels of Brown saying he has been humbled by ownership. He said he now sees it's about the "we not me" mentality. As usual, it is hard to know what is real when it comes to Brown and what is a creation of his imagination. Perhaps ownership will ultimately be the hook that helps him get back on a better path. For now, only time will tell. 

What do you think about Brown owning an arena team? Do you think he has what it takes to effect real change in the city of Albany? Is he someone that those players should be looking up to? Tell us what you think, click to comment below. 

#SteelerNation