Former NFL superstar and seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, who spent his first year of retirement largely out of the public eye, is gearing up for a return to the limelight. This upcoming season, Brady is slated to join the FOX broadcasting team and potentially become a part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. However, his ownership bid remains in a state of uncertainty.
Despite announcing his investment in the Raiders over a year ago, alongside majority owner Mark Davis, the deal has yet to receive the necessary approval from NFL owners. This approval is not anticipated to happen during the upcoming league meetings, further prolonging the process.
Several factors have complicated Brady’s journey towards ownership. Initially, doubts lingered about the permanence of his retirement. At 46, Brady was still highly sought after as a player, and league regulations prohibit active players from holding ownership stakes in teams.
Although these concerns have diminished with time, the ratification of Brady’s ownership deal still faces significant obstacles. One major issue arises from a rule change opposed by Mark Davis, the majority owner of the Raiders. This rule prohibits the granting of equity to employees, raising questions about the substantial discount Brady would receive as part of the deal.
Adding to the complexity is Brady’s new role as FOX’s lead game analyst. This dual role presents an evident conflict of interest. As a potential owner of the Raiders, Brady would have fiduciary duties to the team, sparking concerns about his access to and possible misuse of confidential information regarding other teams and competitors. This conflict extends beyond Brady’s personal integrity to his responsibilities as an owner, which could legally bind him to act in the Raiders’ best interests.
The deal, originally struck in February 2023, remains unresolved over 15 months later. NFL owners are hesitant to proceed, citing the need for a thorough examination of the implications. According to Mark Maske of the Washington Post, it is “unlikely” that a vote on Brady’s ownership will occur at this week’s meetings in Nashville.