The sticky predicament for Tom Brady after becoming an NFL owner

A new owner in town
Unanimous approval
But there's a catch
Strict rules
Not in my house
Part of the team, sort of
NFL policy adherence
Be nice
Restrictions
Concerns
Put the Lombardi down and pick up a mic
Olsen’s media ascension
Giving up the throne
A gracious transition
A huge hit to the wallet
Pay decrease
A class act
Making life difficult in one aspect
Brady making the big bucks
Breaking in
A different mindset
All-in
Confident colleague
Mentors across the industry
Doubters
Olsen’s future plans
A new owner in town

Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady has had his investment approved by NFL owners to become a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Unanimous approval

The legendary quarterback, who retired in February 2023 after 23 seasons, will take a 5% minority stake in the franchise. He needed 24 votes to buy into the Raiders, and his proposal received unanimous approval of 32-0.

"Pursuit of excellence"

According to the BBC, Brady said: "Throughout my NFL career, I've learned that at its core, football is a game of teamwork, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence."

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!

"Part of the story"

"The Raiders franchise and the city of Las Vegas embody these same values, and I'm honoured to become part of that story."

But there's a catch

While this has been a dream come true for Brady, this acceptance into the ownership ranks comes with notable limitations for the other career he has pursued after his playing days.

Strict rules

Due to his role as a part-owner of the Raiders, Brady's access level as a broadcaster with FOX Sports has been significantly curtailed.

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!

Not in my house

As the Daily Mail wrote, perhaps the biggest impediment Brady now has to face as a broadcaster is that he is prohibited from entering the facility of any team except for the Raiders. He is also not allowed to watch practices of other teams.

Part of the team, sort of

The Daily Mail also interestingly writes that Brady is not allowed to be in broadcast production meetings for Fox before games, which would in theory reveal secrets and information about opposing franchises.

NFL policy adherence

Brady is now also subject to following the league's rules regarding gambling for NFL employees, as well as tampering rules that could lead players on other teams to join Las Vegas.

Be nice

Additionally, Brady also cannot publicly criticize NFL officials or other NFL teams.

Restrictions

It can be argued that this would greatly hinder Brady's ability to deliver background insights on television.

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!

Concerns

Current ESPN analyst and former NFL player Ryan Clark thinks this could damage Brady's credibility on TV. Clark told The Pivot podcast, "There is so much that goes into this that I think it is going to taint the perception of who he is when he is doing his job."

Put the Lombardi down and pick up a mic

Most NFL fans agreed that Greg Olsen has become one of the best color analysts in the NFL over the past few seasons, as his chemistry with Kevin Burkhardt was evident. But Fox Sports threw a huge bag of cash in Tom Brady's direction as a major bet that he would become one of the best at his new profession. Brady's addition drove changes for Olsen as the 2024 NFL season drew nearer.

 

 

Olsen’s media ascension

Greg Olsen played 14 seasons in the NFL as a tight end for the Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks. Football Reference displays his career statistics of 742 catches and 60 touchdowns. However, he's been an asset covering NFL games, winning a Sports Emmy in 2024, according to CT Post's website.

Giving up the throne

However, Olsen's window as the lead color analyst was always going to be a temporary one. He told The Athletic, "We've been planning that for two years. We knew when we took the job that Brady was there whenever he was going to decide to come."

A gracious transition

Olsen could have chosen to feel spurned and not help his replacement, but he's been more than willing to assist Brady with his new career path. Olsen told USA Today, "I was happy to share that with some of him. Everyone thinks it's easy until you do it."

A huge hit to the wallet

However, Brady's arrival meant that Olsen's earnings at Fox took a noticeable hit.

Pay decrease

Since Olsen was technically being demoted to the number two broadcast team at Fox Sports, he is losing a whopping $7 million per season, according to NBC Sports. He was earning $10 million per year as the lead analyst, and is set to earn $3 million on the second team.

A class act

Olsen told The New York Times, "I knew what I was signing up for. I've always said I'm a big boy."

Making life difficult in one aspect

Olsen's Emmy award-winning performances have made it difficult for Brady in a certain light. The Daily Mail commented that Brady doesn't have much of a choice but to step in and excel at his new role, given the level of proficiency Olsen did the job with.

Brady making the big bucks

Fox Sports signed Tom Brady to a whopping 10-year, $375 million contract before he retired from the NFL, in order to secure his services on television.

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!

Breaking in

According to Fox Sports' website, Brady kept notes from every NFL game he played, and will use them in his new role as lead analyst.

A different mindset

As an NFL player, Brady thrived on being better than the players who lined up across the line of scrimmage. While there's still an element of being the top broadcast in the sport, Brady is viewing this new challenge a bit differently, as he told Fox Sports' Colin Cowherd.

All-in

Brady told Cowherd, "I think for me, it's about whether I put everything I could into it? Did I give the fans everything that they tuned in for? That's really how I'll end up gauging myself."

Confident colleague

Brady will be working with Erin Andrews, who is the on-field reporter for NFL games on Fox. She told Marca's website, "His resume supports that he is great at everything he does, so why would this be any different?"

Mentors across the industry

Yahoo Sports reported that former Fox Sports play by play announcer Joe Buck wants to make sure that Brady has a smooth transition into the booth. Buck, who now works for ESPN, told Yahoo, "He's talked to intermediaries about maybe getting with me and having me help him, which I'm totally open to doing and would love to do."

Doubters

However, there are also some high profile members of the media who don't think Brady will do all that well in his new job. Legendary sports radio host Mike Francesa told Mail Online, "I don't think his heart is in it. I don't think his personality is as such. I don't think he's going to be great at it, I really don't."

Olsen’s future plans

The former NFL tight end told The Athletic, "My end goal is to call premier games at the top of the ladder and that pursuit won't change regardless of what happens this next year with my current role."

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!

More for you