Antonio Brown is expected to avoid a possible 30-year prison sentence by accepting a plea deal that reduces an attempted second-degree murder charge to aggravated assault with probation, his attorney has said.
The proposed agreement, which still needs court approval, would remove the threat of the mandatory minimum 20-year term Brown faced if convicted of the original charge.
The former NFL receiver, 38, is due before a Miami-Dade judge on 30 September to formally enter the plea. Until the court accepts it, the agreement remains proposed and Brown has not been sentenced.
His attorney, Mark Eiglarsh, said the proposed agreement calls for straight probation rather than prison, jail or house arrest. The reported terms would also require Brown to stay away from Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, the alleged victim in the case.
Antonio Brown Plea Deal Explained
Brown faced a 20-year mandatory minimum and up to 30 years in prison if convicted under the applicable Florida law. He pleaded not guilty in November 2025 and has maintained that he acted in self-defence.
Eiglarsh described the proposal as 'an offer he couldn't refuse', referring to the contrast between probation and a potentially decades-long prison sentence. Brown's lawyer has characterised the proposed plea as a resolution of the case rather than a retreat from Brown's position that he acted in self-defence.
The agreement calls for a reduced aggravated assault charge and straight probation, with no prison, jail or house arrest. Its expected conditions include an order requiring Brown to stay away from Nantambu, with no alcohol or drug assessment, psychological evaluation, apology letter, community service requirement or fine.
The final charge, sentence and conditions will be determined through the court process. Brown has not admitted the prosecution's attempted-murder allegation, and the expected agreement has not yet been formally accepted by a judge.
Miami Shooting Case Background
The case concerns an incident after an amateur boxing event hosted by Adin Ross in Miami's Little Haiti area in May 2025. Prosecutors alleged that Brown became involved in an altercation with Nantambu, whom reports describe as a former acquaintance who became a rival.
Prosecutors alleged that the confrontation began with punches before Brown took a firearm from a security guard, chased Nantambu and fired it. Brown's legal motion acknowledges that he fired the weapon but says he did so after reasonably fearing death or great bodily harm.
Police said social-media video showed Brown carrying a gun near Nantambu before two gunshots were heard. Brown's motion says he fired two warning shots away from Nantambu and alleges that Nantambu made an aggressive movement towards him.
The prosecution allegations and Brown's self-defence account have not been determined at trial. The planned plea hearing means the case may be resolved without a jury trial, but only if the court accepts the agreement.
Bail Conditions and Extradition
Brown was arrested after an extradition from the United Arab Emirates and was released on $25,000 bail (about £18,800). He was placed on house arrest with a GPS ankle monitor while the case proceeded.
That pretrial restriction is separate from the proposed plea terms, which call for probation rather than prison, jail or house arrest. The court will decide whether to approve the agreement at Brown's scheduled 30 September appearance.
Alleged Victim's Position
Nantambu said through his lawyer, Richard L. Cooper, on 9 September that he did not wish to participate in Brown's prosecution. Cooper also said Nantambu had forgiven Brown for the incident.
Cooper said the proposed agreement achieved 'the ends of justice' and that Nantambu wished Brown good health. The plea offer was reported about two weeks after Nantambu's statement, although it has not been confirmed whether his position affected the prosecutors' decision.
What Happens Next
Brown is expected to appear in Miami-Dade court on 30 September to formally enter the proposed plea. A judge will decide whether to accept the agreement and confirm the final charge, sentence and conditions.
If it is approved as reported, the agreement would resolve the case without a trial and without a prison sentence. Brown continues to deny the attempted-murder allegation and maintains, through his lawyer, that he acted in self-defence.
