Tom Brady is in Year 1 of an incredible 10-year, $375 million deal with FOX.
After hanging up his No. 12 jersey, the seven-time Super Bowl winner transitioned into the broadcasting booth to be the network’s top color commentator alongside play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt.
The New England Patriots legend has enjoyed a solid if not spectacular debut season in the booth, with another nine years to go.
However, renowned sports media personality Dan Patrick thinks Brady will end up being one-and-done in the booth due to his minority ownership with the Las Vegas Raiders and conflict of interests.
“I just see Brady as a one-and-done,” Patrick said. “He does the Super Bowl, and then he decides that he’s going to be more involved with the Raiders. I just don’t see Tom one foot in, one foot out with the Raiders, he’s too much of a competitor.”
Brady’s 10 percent minority stake in the Raiders was approved in 2024 and he’s expected to take an active role in the team’s coaching search after the firing of Antonio Pierce earlier this week.
According to reports, the former signal caller has already reached out to former Patriots partner in crime Bill Belichick about a reunion in Sin City.
Brady’s role as a minority NFL owner in addition to being the lead commentator for FOX each week has already caused several issues, with numerous strict rules being enforced on him in order to maintain the integrity of the league.
As an owner, Brady is prohibited from accessing another team’s facility, witnessing practice, and attending broadcast production meetings virtually and in person — all routine practices for a run-of-the-mill broadcaster.
Brady is also not permitted to criticize game officials and other clubs due to his affiliation with the Raiders.
The NFL GOAT has only been in the booth since September but has already come close to breaking the personal rules placed upon him on several occasions.
During the second quarter of the Lions-Packers game in November, Detroit safety Brian Branch was ejected from the game for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Green Bay wide receiver Bo Melton.
The referees’ decision was not made initially, but instead after officials in the replay center notified the on-the-field officials of the hit.
“I don’t love that call at all,” Brady said on the broadcast. “I mean, obviously, it’s a penalty, but, to me, that has to be serious intent in a game like this.”
Some fans believed this was Brady criticizing officials — one of the key restrictions placed upon him as a team owner.
However, the NFL ultimately decided Brady had not violated any rule and therefore decided not to punish him.
Brady’s role also came under scrutiny following an interview with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
The interview focused on personal topics, but league executives were reportedly concerned it may have inadvertently crossed conflict-of-interest boundaries.
According to reports at the time, NFL owners were considering stricter rules to prevent potential competitive imbalances moving forwards.
Brady, a businessman who also owners a minority stake in English soccer club Birmingham City, may end up deciding that the constant tight rope he has to walk as a broadcaster/owner isn’t worth the hassle.
He’s also ruthlessly competitive and may decide that focusing on turning the Raiders’ fortunes around is ultimately how he wants to spend the bulk of his time.
With that said, there’s been no suggestion from Brady himself he wants to step away from the booth, despite Dan Patrick’s suggestion.
It’s also unclear how easy it would be for him to get out of a 10-year, $375 million contract with FOX, should he desire.
As it stands, Brady will continue to juggle both jobs, and is set to be on the call for this Sunday’s Packers-Eagles wild-card round playoff game in Philadelphia.
A week later he’ll be on duty for the divisional round of games before calling the NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl LIX in February.
