The National Arena League kicked the Albany Empire out of the league Thursday after team owner Antonio Brown failed to pay either a required fee or a fine he received following recent public comments. «After exhausting all avenues, the NAL board of owners have decided unanimously to terminate the membership agreement of the Albany Empire,» the league said in a release. «The decision was reached after an emergency conference call of the members in good standing to discuss the Empire's failure to pay their league mandated and overdue assessments.» Brown became the majority owner of the upstate New York team in April.
Under terms of league ownership, all teams are required to pay one-seventh of the NAL operating budget via monthly transactions.
The league said Brown made the April payment but didn't pay the May 15 installment or a $1,000 fine for conduct detrimental to the league.
Brown also challenged the April payment, which was credited back to him. The NAL said the team accountant informed officials «that it didn't seem like Mr.