The Nationwide Enviornment League kicked the Albany Empire out of the league Thursday after crew proprietor Antonio Brown did not pay both a required charge or a effective he obtained after latest public feedback.
“After exhausting all avenues, the NAL board of householders have determined unanimously to terminate the membership settlement of the Albany Empire,” the league mentioned in a launch. “The choice was reached after an emergency convention name of the members in good standing to debate the Empire’s failure to pay their league mandated and overdue assessments.”
Brown grew to become the bulk proprietor of the upstate New York crew in April. Underneath phrases of league possession, all groups are required to pay one-seventh of the NAL working price range by way of month-to-month transactions. The league mentioned Brown made the April fee however did not pay the Might 15 installment or a $1,000 effective for conduct detrimental to the league. Brown additionally challenged the April fee, which was credited again to him.
The NAL mentioned the crew accountant knowledgeable officers “that it did not seem to be Mr. Brown was going to pay the evaluation or effective,” resulting in the emergency convention name.
The membership gave the Empire till midday ET Thursday to make the fee. Once they did not pay, the NAL canceled the crew’s Saturday dwelling recreation towards the Jacksonville Sharks, and it’ll alter the remainder of the league’s 2023 regular-season schedule with out the Albany squad.
Since Brown purchased the Empire — turning into a part-owner in March and taking up a 94% stake within the franchise in Might — the crew has been via a number of coaches, and each quarterbacks on the roster had been launched after final weekend’s loss to the Orlando Predators that dropped Albany to 1-6. The Empire had entered the season as two-time defending champions.
Brown, a four-time NFL All-Professional huge receiver, had vowed to play for the Empire however had but to take action. He practiced Wednesday and caught passes from quarterback Dalton Cole — who performed at Division III Brevard School and performed for the Sharks for a short while — earlier than giving an interview during which he questioned whether or not “AB” was going to pay him; Brown has acknowledged prior to now that AB the proprietor and Antonio Brown the participant are totally different folks.
Albany County’s government committee launched an announcement, saying: “That is an unlucky scenario. We’re conscious MVP Enviornment administration is alerting ticketholders and we will likely be reviewing choices transferring ahead.” MVP Enviornment administration, which operates the Empire’s dwelling, introduced it’s refunding tickets bought for the crew’s remaining three dwelling video games.
Thursday’s determination was the most recent drama throughout Brown’s tenure in Albany. Gamers and suppliers complained about not getting paid, and eight gamers had been suspended after one participant filed an aggravated harassment report with police over a dispute that occurred on the crew bus, The Albany Instances-Union reported final month.
Brown’s father, Eddie Brown, was a legend within the former Enviornment Soccer League and starred for the Albany Firebirds.
Reuters and The Related Press contributed to this report.
