Another Controversy Surrounding Brady?

As readers of this article may know, Tom Brady, the winningest QB in NFL history, is a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.

In 2022, Brady signed a 10-year, $375 million contract to provide analysis during Fox prime-time games. Subsequently, when he became a partial owner of the Raiders, approved by the owners about one year ago, the owners agreed upon certain restrictions for Brady. For the 2024 season, Brady was not allowed to attend in-person production meetings, enter team facilities, or watch practices. For 2025, Brady will be allowed to join production meetings, but only through Zoom. The other restrictions from 2024 remain in effect.

On the second Monday Night Football game of '25, Tom Brady was seen sitting next to several coaches of the Raiders, a team that he partially owns. The NFL's response, issued later this week, stated that Tom Brady did not violate any rules by wearing a headset in the booth during the game.

Does anyone have an issue with this? Does anyone care? Does Brady indeed need two jobs to stay financially afloat?

In responses, the Raiders coach, Pete Carroll, said recently that Brady "is not planning games with us." What’s Carroll supposed to say, “He’s a tremendous resource and we’re going to use him whenever we can?” Just because Brady isn’t "game planning" for the Raiders doesn’t mean it’s a level playing field. Carroll is being coy because Brady isn’t establishing a game plan for the Raiders; on Monday night, it appears that Brady was involved in helping the offense decide which plays to call or not call in a given situation. Why else would Brady be sitting near the Raiders’ offensive coach (Chip Kelly) during the game on Monday night? If Brady wants to evaluate current and former players with Chip, couldn't he do that during film study in his office? Besides, with the controversy surrounding Brady, why would he do this in a nationally televised game? It's a bad look and hints at impropriety. Is he being tone deaf or brazen enough to know he can get away with this, even as a partial owner of an NFL team?

The NFL was quick to dismiss any impropriety by stating: "All personnel sitting in the booth must abide by policies that prohibit the use of electronic devices other than league-issued equipment, such as a Microsoft Surface Tablet for the Sideline Viewing System." Indeed, that’s good to know. While in the booth, he’s only allowed to use the sanctioned Microsoft Surface Tablet. If he’s sitting in a booth near the offensive coordinator with a headset, who needs to use any electronic devices besides his microphone? (I'm assuming that a microphone in the booth is sanctioned? /s.)

Chip Kelly, the first-year Raiders offensive coordinator, recently told ESPN that he speaks with Brady two or three times per week, reviewing the film and game plan for the upcoming game. However, head coach Carroll said Brady and Kelly speaking several times per week was inaccurate. Is Kelly exaggerating Brady’s involvement? If so, for what purpose? Is Carroll correct in saying that Brady and Kelly rarely meet to discuss the upcoming games?

Why did the NFL relax some restrictions on Brady, considering he's now a minority owner? Was it because he's done so much for the NFL? Are they giving him a break because he's wealthy and may have earned "good graces" from the NFL? Think of other large corporations in America that can "bend the rules" to gain more market share or to increase their brand awareness? Because of his status as a winner, celebrity, and excessive wealth, it appears that the NFL wants to have its cake and eat it too. In my mind, a level playing field would be for Tom Brady to decide on one of these careers ultimately, but not both. Perhaps the NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, at 345 Park Avenue in New York City, and NFL owners are primarily focused on the bottom line, rather than a potential conflict of interest situation. Because it seems that the NFL and Goodell earn more money every year for the owners (his bosses), perhaps most owners will overlook the conflict of interest. Maybe the NFL's annual earnings will eclipse any need for integrity in this situation.

If Brady is scheduled to call a game next Sunday, as a broadcaster (while a partial owner), doesn't he have a little access to the team’s players and coaches that other owners don’t have? This indeed raises concerns about a conflict of interest. For example, Brady is scheduled to call the Dallas Cowboys versus the Chicago Bears game next week. Interestingly, the Raiders play the Bears the following week. A potential conflict of interest?

Besides, what’s preventing his broadcasting partner, Kevin Burkhardt, from attending these meetings and gathering information (in person) that might be beneficial not only to the broadcast but could, in a roundabout way, benefit the Raiders?

If I were the Bears, I’d play hardball. Yes, Brady can listen to specific meetings and information through Zoom; however, the Bears’ coaching staff could “turn the tables” and try to gather as much information as possible from Brady to help their team, beyond what’s divulged to him. What other choice do they have? Go out of their way to limit how much information either partner has access to? Especially during the Zoom call. How well will that go over at the NFL Headquarters in New York City? The Bears' coach, Ben Johnson, has no issue with these guidelines. Being 0-2, he's not going to stir up any controversy, as he looks for his team to play better early in the season.

Again, it's not a good look overall. Regardless, if the NFL doesn't impose any other restrictions and the other NFL owners are okay with it, then it appears this conflict of interest remains. But it's still a bad look for the NFL, despite what Goodell and all 32 NFL owners think.