Tom Brady’s broadcasting career could be over before it ever really had chance to begin – that’s according to an NFL conspiracy theory anyway.
The NFL legend is in his rookie season of a 10-year, $375million contract as an announcer for Fox Sports.
The seven-time Super Bowl winner has received mixed reviews on his performance in the booth after being heavily slated for his debut.
And the 47-year-old’s task only became more challenging last month when he was finally approved as a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, leading the league to slap him with a multitude of restrictions which heavily affect his Fox duties.
Those restrictions could severely impact Brady’s future in broadcasting as the potentially drain his passion for the role, Pro Football Talk insider Mike Florio has claimed.
‘There’s an interesting theory that’s making the rounds in league circles, because there had been teams that have said to the league, “We want Tom Brady to be involved in the production meetings.” And through that push and pull because the league says no, no, no, no, no exceptions even if you waive it. It doesn’t matter,’ Florio said on John Ourand’s ‘The Varsity’ podcast.
Tom Brady is in his rookie season of a 10-year, $375million contract as an announcer for Fox
‘There’s been a sense that maybe Brady doesn’t really want to do it anyway. Because you think of how thinly he’s spread, all of the different things that he’s doing, it may not be that he wants to be the absolute best at everything he does.
‘It may just be that he wants us to think he’s the absolute best at everything that he does, and he’s doing a lot of different things and he’s making a lot of different appearances and he’s making a lot of money…
‘Him being an owner and him being a broadcaster I think it keeps him from being the absolute best he could ever be. And it just always seemed beneath him — he’s Tom Brady… I just wonder how many years he’ll continue to do it.’
Many fans had already raised questions over Brady’s ability in the booth after he was granted his new title as Raiders minority owner.
He initially agreed to become a limited partner of the Raiders back in May 2023 but his 10 percent stake deal was stalled amid concerns from other NFL owners regarding his quoted price and new role as an analyst for Fox Sports.
But once it was finally given the green light in October, fans expressed concerns of their own.
Many on social media claimed that the restrictions placed on Brady by the league – due to his newfound ownership – render his media duties redundant.
As a part owner of a franchise, Brady is not permitted to attend in-person or online broadcast production meetings and may not have access to team facilities, players or coaches – access Fox and other networks are typically afforded .
Brady was approved as a minority own of the Raiders last month (Pictured with Mark Davis)
The seven-time Super Bowl winner is pictured courtside at the New York Knicks Friday night
He will also have to watch what he says in the booth as Brady must abide by the league constitution and bylaws that prohibit public criticism of officials and other clubs.
His minority stake in Las Vegas also confirms the end of his playing career, given active players are prevented from investing in or owning NFL teams by the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Despite hanging up his cleats over 18 months ago, he has been frequently linked with a return to the field, most recently with the Miami Dolphins.
While these restrictions were already in place since the beginning of his broadcasting career in summer due to his pending bid, fans are now claiming that Fox should have the right to terminate Brady’s contract.
