Tom Brady, the iconic quarterback, will take on a prominent broadcasting role this NFL season, beginning with the New York Giants at Washington Commanders game in Week 1. Following that, he will call the highly anticipated Super Bowl rematch between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2. The NFL is lifting some restrictions on Brady wearing two hats. He’s free to continue serving as a broadcaster and minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Brady, who signed a 10-year, $375 million deal with Fox in 2022, is coming off his first season broadcasting. In October 2022, the NFL finally approved his deal to become a minority owner of the Raiders. This decision was accompanied by a number of restrictions placed on him. Last season, Brady faced restrictions that prevented him from fully engaging in his broadcasting duties while he was navigating his ownership role.
For this season, the NFL has temporarily lifted some of these restrictions. Most importantly, Brady is now permitted to attend production meetings remotely, a huge rule change that helps get him in gear for the broadcasts ahead. On top of that, he has the chance to go off-site and interview players, giving him some juicy color and texture that’s going to enhance his commentary.
As the last few years have proved, some restrictions still hold fast. Brady is still banned from being present at team practices in the physical building. This limitation is important to ensure that folks remain aware of his distinct dual commitments. This would effectively prevent any conflicts of interest from arising between his broadcasting duties and his ownership stake in the Raiders.
In addition to advancing Black leadership, the lifting of these restrictions stands out considering the NFL’s history of being exceptionally guarded over controlling conflicts of interest among its members. Last year in California, those prohibitions were temporarily suspended only for the Super Bowl. This meant Brady could participate in the weekly production meetings leading up to the event. That flexibility seems to have paved the way for this season’s other major changes.
In addition to his broadcasting pursuits, Brady has been in the news for his blistering commentary on other sports personalities. Recently, he publicly declared LeBron James as the “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) of the NBA, sparking discussions among fans and analysts alike about legacy in professional sports.
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