Antonio Brown plans to play for Albany Empire

The news delighted — and surprised — coach Tom Menas, who first asked Brown if he would consider playing back in April.

Last month, Brown hinted on Twitter that he’d play if MVP Arena sold out but dismissed the possibility before the Empire’s first game.

Now, it seems he’s changed his mind. Brown could not be reached for comment.

Albany’s next game is Saturday on the road at the Jacksonville Sharks, then a home contest vs. the Fayetteville Mustangs on May 27.

“His presence alone will impact the game, whether he gets the ball in the pass or doesn’t get the ball in the pass,” Menas said of Brown. “Any guy would want to be on the field with him. This will make stories for every one of the players in that game that get to play with AB. … It’d be pretty incredible.”

National Arena League rules do not explicitly prohibit player-owners.

Brown spent 11 years in the NFL, mostly with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He racked up 12,291 receiving yards, 928 receptions and 83 touchdowns over his career; led the NFL in receptions twice and receiving yards twice; and won a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay in the 2020 season.

But his career, especially after leaving the Steelers, was marred by controversy, including an eight-game suspension in 2020 for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

His time owning the Albany Empire has been no less chaotic. Brown joined Albany’s ownership group in March, purchasing 47.5 percent of the team from former owner Mike Kwarta. He then said he owned 100 percent of the team days before buying Kwarta’s…