Tom Brady’s dual roles as a Fox analyst and the Raiders‘ minority owner have got people scratching their heads. And him hanging out in the coaches’ booth during the game against the Chargers on Monday only raised more eyebrows. “I’m just confused. What does he want to do?” one rival front office executive even questioned Brady’s intentions. But what’s Brady’s stance on all this chatter?
To know that, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini tried to reach out, but Brady didn’t respond. “I did reach out to Brady for this story, but he did not return my message,” she wrote in her article. Silence seems like the safe play for Brady, at least for now. However, his actions tell another story.
Per Russini, Brady’s role looks much bigger than a silent investor. It mirrors the kind of influence Tony Boselli has in Jacksonville or what John Elway once had in Denver. Those were hands-on positions where legends had real power to shape football decisions. And that’s exactly how Brady’s presence in Sin City feels right now.
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Last year, the NFL imposed some unique restrictions on Brady, including barring him from attending production meetings or visiting another team’s facilities. This year, those restrictions are significantly more relaxed.
While the seven-time Super Bowl winner is still not allowed to attend practices at other teams’ facilities, he can attend production meetings now, albeit virtually. Either way, an NFL owner could not help but raise concerns that the Raiders might have an advantage on account of Brady’s dual role.
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“They are getting an unfair advantage whether they capitalize on it or not. You don’t think he’s getting info from the crew that is allowed at practice? Of course he is,” the NFL owner complained.
Brady is in constant communication with the Raiders coaches and players. He talks shop with general manager John Spytek. In fact, Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll have picked Brady’s brain to make roster decisions in the offseason, with the GM calling Brady’s inputs “invaluable.” His longtime friend Alex Guerrero even has an official role as wellness coordinator, running strength and conditioning. Brady doesn’t need to be in the building every day to have an impact.
For example, next week, Chicago will face the Raiders, with Brady on the call. That means Sin City’s ownership could have an inside look at Chicago’s own scouting report. No other team has that access. So, it’s become a question of integrity.
Sports analyst wants Tom Brady to choose broadcasting or ownership
NBC Sports analyst Rodney Harrison feels Tom Brady’s dual role is not just unusual — it’s a problem the league can’t brush aside.
“I understand that Tom’s going to take advantage of every opportunity that he gets,” Harrison said on the Football Night in America podcast. “I played 15 years in the league, but I’ve been a broadcaster for 17 years. And it’s definitely a conflict of interest because think about it—when we walk on that field, we get so much information. We get all the behind-the-scenes information. We get, you know, which the average fan has no idea the type of information we’re getting.”
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Harrison also pointed out that broadcasters get early updates on injuries, roster plans, and even free-agent evaluations. And he warned it’s only “human nature” for Brady to share that with the Raider front office. Seeing Brady in the coaches booth only sharpened those concerns. And given Brady’s stature as one of the most decorated players ever, Harrison stressed his network of league contacts already gives him more access than most.
In the end, Harrison said the league must draw a line. “I just think it gets to a point eventually they’re going to have to say, ‘Hey man, what are you going to do? Are you going to be part owner or are you going to be a broadcaster?’” Harrison said. “And that’s what it comes down to, to make things all fair across the league.” That’s the question sitting in front of Brady now.