Antonio Brown plans Saturday return to football after 16-month layoff

The former seven-time Pro Bowler originally said that he was a co-owner of the National Arena League's (NAL) Empire before later claiming he has no control over the team. It's recently been reported that Antonio El-Allah Express Trust Enterprise holds a 95 percent ownership interest, with Charlotte and Steve von Schiller controlling the other 5 percent.

Brown has recently teased an appearance by former MVP quarterback Cam Newton in some capacity and did so again on Thursday.

In late April, Brown hinted at making another NFL comeback, cropping a photo of himself in a No. 84 Baltimore Ravens jersey and posting on Twitter with the caption "Excited to return to the NFL this year #RavensFlock." There has been no indication that Brown's tweet had any legitimacy and he could have simply been trolling fans.

With his laundry list of past legal troubles and controversies, it would be a stunner to see a NFL team take a chance on the 34-year-old. Most recently in mid-April, Brown was involved in an altercation with security during his first game as the apparent co-owner of the Empire.

If Brown has his issues, the same can be said about the team he is supposedly set to join. Following the Empire's loss to the Carolina Cobras on April 30, head coach Damon Ware left the team. Ware's departure reportedly stemmed from a lack of payment to the staff and roster, as well as an incident on Albany's bus returning from North Carolina, which resulted in multiple players receiving suspensions.

The Empire won the last two NAL titles but is just 1-4 this season.