Since February 2019, Brown has co-hosted the podcast Undr the Cosh with his former Preston North End teammate Jon Parkin and comedy writer Chris J.
However, Brown suffered a setback in 2002 when he damaged his cruciate ligament whilst playing for the reserve side, forcing him to miss the entire 2002–03 season.
After making a successful recovery, Brown was promoted to the Sunderland first team, and was allocated the number 31 shirt for the club's first season back in the First Division.
Although mainly being used as a substitute during the first half of the season, Brown enjoyed an extended run in the side towards the end of the campaign, as Sunderland clinched the newly renamed Championship title and won promotion.
At the end of the season, Brown was beaten by teammate Stephen Elliott for the club's "young player of the year" award.
Brown featured for Sunderland during the pre-season tour of US and Canada, though was told by manager Mick McCarthy that he needed to gain further first team experience on loan at another club.
Brown made a second-half substitute appearance against Liverpool at Anfield on 20 August and later joined Championship side Hull City on loan on 8 September until January.
[20] Brown made his debut the same day his fine was announced on 21 September 2004 and remained a first-team regular until his departure from the club.
On 7 December 2006, it was reported that Brown, along with teammates Ben Alnwick and Liam Lawrence had filmed themselves in an orgy with a brunette girl referred to as 'Stevie'.
In the video, Brown films his teammates perform sexual acts on the girl as well as themselves, and is said to give "Match of the Day" style commentary throughout.