Antonio Brown has put a small legal matter behind him.
The former Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders and New England Patriots wide receiver settled a small claims lawsuit filed in Alameda County court by his personal trainer, Sean Pena.
Pena claimed Brown owed him $7,194.81 in "unpaid therapy and training services" and "agreed-upon reimbursement for hotels, airfare, rental car" during a week in April spent preparing for the NFL season.
Attorneys for Pena and Brown on Tuesday told the Bay Area News Group a confidential resolution was reached before a trial date scheduled for Wednesday morning. The hearing will be taken off the court's calendar, saving Brown from having to personally appear in a Hayward courtroom. In California, attorneys cannot appear on behalf of clients in small claims cases.
Brown signed with the Oakland Raiders in the NFL offseason before a series of incidents over equipment, management and more led the team to cut him just before the start of the season. He then signed with the New England Patriots, a contract that barely had him in uniform before he was cut again, this time in relation to a sexual-assault complaint against him. Brown then re-enrolled in college.
After the July 31 court filing, both sides appeared headed toward a public legal fight.
"My client is pissed because (Brown) stiffed him and ghosted (on) him, was being evasive, and then, next thing you know Brown is in Paris buying a Richard Mille watch, so it's just a complete insult," Pena's attorney, Michael D. Kolodzi, told Sports Illustrated.
"Mr. Brown has already paid the plaintiff everything that he was due," Brown's attorney, Darren Heitner, told TMZ Sports. "The plaintiff has no foundation for coming after Mr. Brown, and we will ensure that this case is disposed of quickly."
Because of the confidential settlement, neither attorney had much to say on Tuesday.
"The matter has been settled," Kolodzi said.
"The dispute has been resolved," Heitner said. "Thank you."
Brown, meanwhile, is facing more serious legal issues. A former trainer in a lawsuit filed in Florida last month accussed Brown of rape and sexual assault. Brown has denied the allegations, which the NFL is investigating.
