Report: Brown's grievance vs. Raiders hindered by release requests

Text messages that show Antonio Brown asking Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis for his release have weakened the wide receiver's grievance case, sources told ESPN's Chris Mortsensen.

Brown filed a grievance looking to recoup the $30 million in guarantees the Raiders voided via fines. In discovery, it was reported the Raiders submitted multiple text messages Brown sent to Davis requesting free agency.

Oakland complied with Brown's request on Sept. 7, shortly after the 31-year-old said he wouldn't play because the Raiders voided his guarantees.

Brown filed a separate grievance against the New England Patriots, asking for $10 million in guarantees he didn't receive. The Patriots cut Brown one game into his tenure amid public outrage stemming from a lawsuit that alleged he raped his former personal trainer.