Ex-NFL Star Antonio Brown Hit With Bankruptcy Lawsuit Over 6-Figure Debt

A jewelry designer owed more than $100,000 from Antonio Brown demanded the debt not be wiped clean in bankruptcy court, In Touch can exclusively report.

According to court documents obtained by In Touch, Zul Nantambu, who designs and sells jewelry, filed a lawsuit as part of Antonio’s Chapter 11.

Zul said he was invited by Floyd Mayweather to Dubai for a fight scheduled on May 14, 2022. Prior to the fight, Zul said he became acquainted with Antonio, 36.

He said he allowed Antonio to wear a custom made pendant and a diamond cut Cuban link chain for Antonio’s “social media photo ops and video reels.”

The jeweler said he asked for the return of the pieces on May 18, 2022.

After a ton of back and forth, Zul said he went to Antonio’s hotel room to retrieve the pieces but Antonio claimed they were with his cousin, who denied having the items.

“After not receiving a clear answer from [Antonio] and not receiving his jewelry, [Antonio] allowed two gold chains belonging to him to be held by [Zul] as collateral,” the suit said.

The jeweler said Antonio then falsely “reported to Dubai law enforcement that [he] had stolen $3 million worth of [Antonio’s] jewelry.

This resulted in [Zul] being arrested and detained in a Dubai jail where he was held without bond on charges of theft.” According to Zul, the charges were dropped after he presented evidence to the prosecutors.

Zul filed a lawsuit against Antonio in August 2022.

Zul accused Antonio of conversion and malicious prosecution. Antonio did not respond to the lawsuit and was hit with a partial judgment of $123,000 in March 2023. A final judgment of $968,000 was entered in early 2024.

However, the final judgment was vacated “because of an issue with the trial notice not being certified as mailed to [Antonio].” However, Zul said the 2023 order awarding him $123k remains in place.

He asked that the partial judgment that was entered not be discharged in the bankruptcy.

His lawyer argued, “While the Bankruptcy Code generally strives to allow a debtor to have a fresh start, 11 U.S.C.§ 523(a) specifically disallows the discharge of certain debts obtained under fraudulent or false pretenses. The Broward Circuit Court’s March 15, 2024, Partial Final Judgment represents a legal adjudication that this in fact occurred and said judgment should therefore be deemed as not dischargeable.”

Zul asked that the court allow him to resume collections on the debt after ruling Antonio is still on the hook. Back in May, the ex-NFL wide receiver filed for bankruptcy listing liabilities over $3 million despite earning more than $80 million during his time in the league. He listed his debts as $1.2 million owed to a man named Anton Tumanov stemming from a civil lawsuit, the $968,000 potentially owed to Zul, $311,000 owed to KCB Marketing, $170,000 owed to a law firm, $168,000 on a American Express card and $100,000 to two other creditors.

Antonio denied all allegations of wrongdoing. He demanded the case be dismissed.

Following the petition being filed, Antonio’s company, CTESPN Network, said, “NFL legend Antonio Brown has filed bankruptcy today. He will be a first ballot hall of famer in 2027. He will be releasing new music this summer.”