Eddie & Antonio Brown Join the Empire

Antonio Brown and ‘Touchdown’ Eddie Brown Join The Albany Empire

ALBANY, NY – The Albany Empire, of the National Arena League (NAL), announced today that former NFL Superstar and Super Bowl LV Champion Antonio Brown is joining the Empire ownership.  Additionally, his father and Arena Football legend ‘Touchdown’ Eddie Brown joins the Empire front office as Vice President.

“What we are doing here today is about sustainability and the future, we want to make it so arena football is here in Albany forever” Said Empire owner Mike Kwarta “That’s why I’m thrilled to announce that Antonio Brown and his father ‘Touchdown’ Eddie Brown are coming home to join the Empire.”

Antonio Brown spent part of his childhood here in the Capital Region and fondly remembers his days at Blue Creek Elementary School. During his 12 seasons in the NFL, Antonio recorded 928 receptions for 12,291 yards and scored 88 touchdowns. He was selected to play in 7 Pro Bowls and became a champion in 2021 winning Super Bowl LV with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Antonio Brown said “I remember being here as a kid watching my dad play in this building, all the little kids with face paint cheering. So this is great for me to be here with my kids and my dad and give back to this community” Brown continued “I’m excited to be here and help bring these players and community a Three-peat.”

‘Touchdown’ Eddie Brown is widely regarded as one of if not the best player in the history of Arena Football. Eddie Brown accumulated 950 receptions for 12,736 yards and 303 receiving touchdowns. Brown was named MVP of ArenaBowl XIII where he led the Albany Firebirds to a 59-48 victory over the Orlando Predators.

“Everything right now is surreal, I’m home.” said Eddie Brown “Life is great! We’re excited to get started and do things the Empire way, Let’s get three.”

Single-game tickets can be purchased by going to Ticketmaster or by calling (518)714-2200 Ext 101 to speak with an Empire representative.  The Albany Empire open up their Back-to-Back Championship defense on Sunday April 16th, at 2:30pm against the Orlando Predators.  The Empire’s 2023 season is presented by Transfinder.

For more information contact:

Jeff Levack, Director of Media Relations (levack@AlbanyEmpireNAL.com)

Matt Woods, Team President (mwoods@AlbanyEmpireNAL.com)

About the Albany Empire

The Albany Empire was founded in 2018 and won titles in the Arena Football League (AFL) in 2019 as well as Back-to-Back titles in the National Arena League (NAL) in 2021 and 2022. The Empire plays its home games at the MVP Arena on Transfinder Field in Albany, NY. For any media inquiries about the Empire please email Levack@albanyempirenal.com. For ticket sales and information contact bhoffman@albanyempirenal.com or visit Ticketmaster albanyempirenal.com, facebook.com/AlbanyEmpireNAL, twitter.com/AlbanyEmpireNAL,     instagram.com/albanyempirenal 

About the National Arena League (NAL)

The National Arena League was founded in 2016 and hosted its inaugural season in 2017 as the premier league in arena football. For more information regarding expansion opportunities or partnerships, contact Commissioner Chris Siegfried at chris@nationalarenaleague.com. For more information about the NAL visit www.nationalarenaleague.com

About MVP Arena

MVP Arena is a full-service entertainment and sports facility featuring a wide variety of family shows, sporting events, trade shows and concerts. Owned by Albany County and managed by ASM Global, MVP Arena opened in 1990 and is home to the Albany Empire of the National Arena League, the Albany FireWolves of the National Lacrosse League, and the Division I Men’s College Basketball Siena Saints. For more information, please visit https://www.mvparena.com/