Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown is back in the news again. What a shock. Once again it has to do with his ownership of the National Arena League team, The Albany Empire, Brown's new name, and a startling citizenship revelation.
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Former Steelers WR Antonio Brown now owns the Arena team, Albany Empire.
If anyone is able to keep up with all of Brown's head-spinning tales and accusations, they should be awarded some kind of a Nobel Prize. The person who is coming the closest is an Albany reporter, Abigail Rubel, who writes for the Times-Union. Rubel has been covering Brown's bizarre story in Albany since the beginning.
For those of you who might not have been keeping score this whole time, the short version is this - Brown purchased partial ownership of the Empire, with his father Eddie Brown. Brown's father played for the team when they were the Albany Firebirds in the 1990's.
The original information released said that Brown owned 47.5% of the team along with some other co-owners. However, just recently, Brown went on the attack, stating emphatically that he is the full owner of the team. This is despite the records showing otherwise.
That isn't the end of Brown's complications, his time in Albany has been fraught with chaos. There were allegations that he wasn't paying players or coaches, suspensions after possible player fist fights on the bus, locking players out of their hotel rooms, the firing of the head coach, and multiple players defecting from the team.
Despite all of the turmoil, the National Arena League commissioner recently spoke up in support of Brown via a statement.
"The NAL would like to thank our team owners for their dedication to the league and their commitment to providing a high-quality football experience for our fans," said Commissioner Chris Siegfried. "We understand the challenges that come with owning a team and appreciate the hard work and sacrifices that are made to ensure the success of their franchises. I would also like to thank new Albany Empire majority owner Antonio Brown, and MVP Arena General Manager Bob Belber for their efforts during the Empire's ownership transition. Antonio brings a new level of passion to the Empire and to the NAL; I look forward to working with AB as we continue to strengthen the National Arena League."
Albany Empire
The Albany Empire leaders from left, Eddie Brown, Antonio Brown, original owner Mike Kwarta ad President Matt Woods
Brown has been dealing with other matters - an arrest for not paying child support and a lawsuit for $1.1 million over jewelry he allegedly never paid for. Brown, who claimed to be a man changed by ownership, threatened a security guard who asked him to leave the field.
Steelers' Brown With A New Name, New Nationality, But Not A New Team?
Now Rubel has reported a story that is somehow more bizarre than everything that preceded. Brown is claiming that's not his name nor does he actually own the team and he isn't an American citizen. In a move that harkens back to Mr. Big Chest, Brown says he is now going by "Antonio El-Allah Express."
Per Rubel, Brown stated he has no control over the team and is separating himself from operations.
The Times said they spoke by phone with Empire team president, Alberony Denis and a lawyer named Marlon Oliveira who were told the team is owned by Antonio El-Allah Express Trust Enterprise. They said Brown no longer has personal ownership or control over the team. Instead, they said a foreign national named Antonio El-Allah Express is now the trustee.
In the story in The Times, Rubel shares part of a letter where Brown announces he's a foreign national.
"I Brown, Antonio Tavaris, a foreign national, but not a citizen of the United States at birth, am writing to you regarding recent reports that have been circulating in the media regarding my supposed ownership of the Albany Empire team. I want to make it very clear that I am not the owner of this team, and any claims to the contrary are completely false."
Per Rubel, Brown cites US Code 1408 which states people are 'nationals' but are not considered citizens if they were born in 'outlying possessions' or were born outside of the U.S. to parents who are also nationals, but not citizens.
Wait, what?
All documents regarding Brown's nationality show him as being born in Miami and both of Brown's parents were reportedly born in the United States and are citizens.
The letter is signed by lawyer, John Williams, who is a "Foreign Trustee, For Antonio El-Allah Express trust on behalf of Antonio Tavaris Brown." Rubel adds that according to Denis and Oliveira, Antonio El-Allah Express Trust is linked to "Big Boomin Investment Co. LLC." That is Brown's Dubai-based company he uses for investing.
Kirby Lee / USA TODAY Sports
Former Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Antonio Brown spent some time as a part-owner of the Albany Empire of the AFL.
During a press conference, Brown was asked who Antonio El-Allah Express is and his only response was, "That's a good question." He refused to elaborate.
It is nearly impossible to riddle out exactly what Brown's intentions are. This sounds a lot like Brown is trying to establish himself as his own country. Just when you thought he couldn't escalate any further.
Whether you call him AB, Ronald Ocean, Mr. Big Chest, Himothy, or any of his other nicknames, they all still point to a troubled man who seems unable to extract himself from the chaos he creates.
What do you think of Brown's latest stunt? Why do you think he claims he is a foreign national? What is with the newest name? Click to comment below.
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