Antonio Brown ‘is set to join Albany Empire’s ownership group in the National Arena League’

Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown is joining the ownership group of the Albany Empire in the National Arena League, according to the Albany Times Union.

Brown’s father Eddie, who once starred for the Albany Firebirds during the 1990s will also reportedly be involved in the deal. His jersey was retired by the team in 2018.

The Empire are set to officially announce the deal in a press conference scheduled for Thursday morning at 10am ET.

The NFL All-Pro wide receiver posted a video onto his Twitter profile Wednesday night, teasing a ‘big announcement’ hours later. 

‘Albany, New York. I’m here,’ Antonio Brown, standing on a balcony, said in the video. ‘It’s a big announcement in the morning. Stay tuned.’

Antonio Brown and his father Eddie will reportedly join the ownership group of Albany Empire

The Empire are currently in their fourth encarnation as Albany’s arena football league team 

The 34-year-old Brown will not play for the Empire and last played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before his career unceremoniously ended against the New York Jets. 

He famously ran off the field waving to the crowd after removing his jersey and shoulder pads late in the game.

Aside from this he has faced a long list of off-the field controversies as he transitions to the post-NFL portion of his life. 

He faced domestic violence charges in December, which were later dropped, and was sued in 2018 for throwing furniture off a balcony at his apartment complex in Florida when a 22-month old child was nearly struck by some of the debris. He ultimately settled that lawsuit.

Furthermore, he settled a sexual assault lawsuit with a former personal trainer in 2021, and in 2020, a mover was awarded $1.2million in damages after he accused Brown of attacking him during a disagreement.

Throughout his career he caught 928 passes for 12,291 yards and 83 touchdowns over the course of his 12-year career.

He also won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers in 2020.

Brown’s return to Albany is something of a homecoming after he attended second grade in the nearby Latham area at Blue Creek Elementary School, while his father played for the Firebirds.

The soon to be part owner of the Empire even referenced this on his Twitter when he said ‘Albany NY was Always A Special Place For me And my FAMILY’ as the caption for of him and two other children posing with the Firebirds mascot.

Brown last appeared in the NFL while playing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on January 2