Legendary New England Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady, has been doing a slightly controversial double act over the past couple of years as he both calls games as an analyst for for Fox’s broadcast “A” team, alongside play-by-play announcer, Kevin Burkhardt, and acts as a minority owner for the Las Vegas Raiders.
In 2025, the NFL alleviated some of the prior restrictions facing Brady with regards to the recon he was able to do for his commentary work, including allowing him now to attend production meetings – albeit only so remotely.
However, many believe this still constitutes a conflict of interest, as he will often be privy to inside information not known either to opposing teams within the league, or the public as a whole.
Tom Brady Criticized After Being Spotted In Raiders’ Coaches’ Booth
This came to ahead intensely on Monday night, during the Raiders’ 20-9 loss to division rivals, the Los Angeles Chargers, where he was spotted sitting in the coaches’ booth with a headset on.
And fans and media across the league were everything from angry, to bemused and befuddled as to why a broadcaster who has in-depth access to multiple teams across the league is also able to appear in a coaches’ booth, seemingly able to both give input into plays and strategy.
Jared Smith of Fox Sports Radio wrote, “Tom Brady worked the Chiefs game Sunday, who played the Chargers last week, then he is in the booth on the headset with the Raiders coaches on Monday I have no idea what kind of info he has or is feeding to the Vegas coaches, it’s just a weird look.”
A “weird look” is certainly one way to put it.
Should Tom Brady Be Allowed To Be An Owner and Commentator?
James Palmer points out that considering Brady’s expanded, hands on role as an owner – far more so than many others in the league – it makes even less sense that he is tasked with gathering sometimes sensitive and private information about different organizations.
“Tom Brady meets with Chip Kelly 2-3 times a week to go over film and go through the game plan.” Palmer wrote on Monday night, “And every weekend Brady is calling a game for Fox, gathering as much information as possible from players and coaches from both teams to be at his best in the broadcast booth. Got it.”
Indeed, others like Skip Bayliss, outright called out the NFL for a “wrong” practice.
“Wait, Raiders owner Tom Brady is sitting in the coaching box with a headset & ESPN says he talks often during the week to O.C. Chip Kelly???”, Skip Bayless posted on X, “How can the NFL allow Brady to even remotely interview players/coaches of other teams as part of his Fox prep? This is just wrong.”
The NFL came out on Tuesday, asserting that Brady and Las Vegas did not violate any league rules or protocol on Monday night.
Head coach, Pete Carroll also noted that the former 7 x Super Bowl-winning QB “is not planning games with us.”
Irregardless, this whole situation will certainly not have fans of other franchises feeling thrilled.