After 17 months of negotiations, Tom Brady has officially become a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. While the acquisition of a 5% stake in the NFL franchise is a significant step in his post-playing career, it comes with some notable consequences—particularly in his role as a lead commentator for Fox Sports.
The approval of Brady’s ownership in the Raiders faced several delays due to concerns from NFL owners and executives. One major issue centered around Brady’s dual roles as both an NFL team owner and a broadcaster, which raised questions about potential conflicts of interest. As part of his role with Fox, Brady is expected to prepare for games by visiting team practice facilities, meeting with coaches, and discussing strategies with key players. However, his newfound ownership stake in a team complicates this aspect of his broadcasting duties.
Given that Brady now owns part of a team that competes in the same division as the Kansas City Chiefs, it presented an ethical dilemma. NFL executives and team owners worried that Brady could gain inside information from one team, such as the Chiefs, and potentially use it to benefit the Raiders, even unintentionally.
To resolve these concerns, the NFL imposed several restrictions on Brady’s broadcasting activities. Under the new agreement, Brady is prohibited from entering any team facilities, either in person or virtually. He is also not allowed to attend practices, production meetings, or engage with players and coaches in the typical pre-game routines that most commentators have access to. Additionally, Brady cannot criticize game officials on-air, a key aspect of many NFL broadcasts, and is subject to the NFL’s strict anti-gambling and anti-tampering policies.
These limitations significantly impact Brady’s work as a commentator, as they prevent him from participating in many of the behind-the-scenes activities that help broadcasters provide in-depth insights during games. Despite these restrictions, Brady continues to call games for Fox Sports, and his early performances have been closely watched by fans and critics alike. His first game—a Cowboys vs. Browns matchup—was considered shaky by some, though his familiarity with the sport has allowed him to adjust quickly without the usual pre-game access.
The rules set for Brady also extend to others in his ownership group, including former Raiders and Patriots player Richard Seymour, who holds a small stake in the team. All members of the ownership group are subject to these broadcasting restrictions.
While this complex arrangement might limit Brady’s traditional preparation methods as a commentator, many believe that his unparalleled experience in the NFL—after two decades as one of the greatest players of all time—equips him to provide valuable analysis without needing access to practices or production meetings.
For now, Brady will have to navigate these restrictions as he juggles two major roles: minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and lead NFL commentator for Fox Sports. The unique situation highlights the complexities of being a high-profile figure in both the media and the business side of professional sports.