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Antonio Brown’s Facebook Live video continues to be a topic of conversation heading into the AFC Championship Game. While Brown has apologized and the Steelers are putting it behind them, it is still unknown if the video was part of a deal Brown and other high-profile athletes signed last year.
In June 2016, Wall Street Journal reported that Facebook has paid out over $50 million to social influencers to use Facebook Live. While heavy-hitters like Buzzfeed were paid over $3 million, smaller sums were paid to celebrities and athletes- including Antonio Brown. Esquire’s Luke O’Neil added that Brown may have been paid as much as $224K for his participation.
After the Steelers defeated the Chiefs, Brown went Live on Facebook to celebrate the win with his teammates. While he spent the majority of the video smiling and adjusting his hair, his head coach, Mike Tomlin, was addressing his team regarding their matchup in the AFC Championship.
Antonio Brown posted his apology to social media, and did not acknowledge whether he was paid for the video.
Antonio Brown refuses to say if he has a contract w/ Facebook or was paid for that Live video.
While it may not be immediate, Mike Tomlin has stated that Brown will be punished for the video. Tomlin described Brown’s actions as “selfish” and “inconsiderate,” and told reporters that there will be “consequences.”
“..There are consequences to be dealt with from his perspective. We will punish him. We won’t punish us. We will do so swiftly, and we will do so internally.”
Brown is in the final year of a contract with the Steelers, and could become the league’s highest-paid receiver next year. He certainly has worthy numbers, as he’s been one of the NFL’s best since 2013. Brown has recorded at least 100 catches, 1,200 yards, and eight touchdown catches in each of the last four seasons.
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