Steelers Now
Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown discussed his financial troubles during a recent appearance on the One Night With Steiny podcast. Last May, Brown filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to the Times Union in Albany, N.Y.. The report said he owes eight creditors nearly $3 million. Brown claims his assets are worth just $50,000 or less, according to court documents.
Brown earned over $88 million in his career. In addition to off the field endorsements, he earned $100 million. All of that money has evaporated.
“I think I made $100 million, if you count off the field and everything,” Brown said. “I just filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, you feel me? I spent all of it. I blew all my money. I blew everything.”
Brown claimed that a lot of money went toward family.
“The people I had in my life, they just took the money that I made in the NFL, and they didn’t make the money mines no more,” Brown said. “You know what I’m saying. They put that away for my family, generations and trusts, and then threw it out there. So whatever I made in football, I just saved it for my family, generation, my kids.”
RELATED: Details Revealed on Antonio Brown’s Bankruptcy Filing
Sports business writer Tyler Webb did a breakdown on X of how Brown lost a substantial amount of his career earnings. When accounting for taxes, Webb estimates that Brown probably retired with around $50 million in 2021. Obviously, that’s still a lot of money.
Webb’s analysis shows that Brown lost a lot of his assets due to multiple lawsuits and lawyer fees. Unwise financial decisions also surely played a factor. The Times Union reported that Brown has $100,000+ in credit card debt and owes $296 to a plumber. Brown also had to settle with private chefs and moving companies several times for unpaid wages as high as $38,000.
According to the court filings, Brown is also unable to pay at least three six-figure civil suits he’s lost.
Brown bought 47.5% of the Albany Empire for $350,000 in March of 2023. Soon after, the team was kicked out of the National Arena League because Brown failed to pay a $1,000 fine. Brown also failed to pay his coaches and staff, although a lawsuit was never filed.
Brown, 35, became one of the most dominant receivers in NFL history in his time with the Steelers from 2010-18, but since then has caused a slew of on- and off-the-field issues, including several lawsuits, arrests, sexual assault allegations, and a lengthy suspension. His last on-field game came in 2021, where he ran shirtless off the field against the New York Jets.
Brown has ventured into the music industry as a rapper in his post-career. He also has his own media network called CTESPNNetwork, where he does podcasts and sells merchandise.
