Dispute over Brown escalates: Raiders part ways with top star

The team from California parted ways with its wide receiver on Saturday after he practically provoked his expulsion. What happens next with Brown is completely unclear.

The Raiders had previously fined Brown more than $215.000 and would therefore no longer have to pay him the guaranteed $30 million salary. He then stated via ESPN that he would “under no circumstances” play for Oakland.

In an Instagram post full of pathos, the 31-year-old asked the Raiders to release him. "I've worked my whole life to prove that the system is too blind to recognize talent like mine. I'm not angry with anyone, but I'm asking for the freedom to prove everyone wrong." The Raiders complied with this wish.

Brown also released a recording of a conversation with head coach Jon Gruden in which both had an emotional exchange about the situation. Gruden, who had expressed confidence on Friday that Brown would play in the opening game against Denver on Tuesday night, urged his star to "just play football" and avoid sideshows. Brown replied: "I'm more than a footballer, I'm a real person. This is about more than football."

Brown had been punished by his team for threatening physical violence against general manager Mike Mayock, the culmination of a series of quarrels. Brown moved to California in the summer after disagreements with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and that's when the trouble really started.

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Dispute over Brown escalates: Raiders part ways with top star

The dispute between football superstar Antonio Brown and his club Oakland Raiders has reached a new height.

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