Antonio Brown has a new team after being released by the Oakland Raiders, but the drama involving the star wide receiver is far from over. In fact, Brown’s decision to release a secret phone recording of Raiders head coach Jon Gruden could lead to some legal issues and potential punishment from the league.
Brown took to YouTube to share a video of a phone conversation with Gruden which was one of the final straws for the team before parting ways with him.
And, because the call was believed to have taken in California which is a two-party consent state, it is a misdemeanor crime for an invasion of privacy statute that essentially forbids the recording of a conversation without the knowledge/consent of both parties, according to TMZ Sports.
The crime carries a maximum one-year jail sentence and $2,500 in fines if convicted.
Of course, while legal prosecution is highly unlikely, the NFL could still choose to suspend Brown for violating the league’s personal conduct policy which allows punishment to any player “undermines or puts at risk the integrity of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL personnel.”
Brown forced his way out of Oakland after a preseason filled with absurd drama stemming from the wide receiver’s frost-bitten feet to threatening to retire over an issue with his league-approved helmet. The Raiders acquired Brown in the offseason via a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers but they ultimately decided the headaches weren’t worth it.
Now, Brown is a member of the New England Patriots where he will look to improve his image.
Throughout his career in the NFL, Brown has hauled in 837 catches for 11,207 yards and 74 touchdowns. Last season, Brown recorded 104 catches for 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns. In each of the last 6 seasons, Brown has recorded at least 100 catches and 1,000 yards. The Patriots opened the season with a blowout win over Brown’s former team, the Steelers.