Viewers may never know whether Tom Brady is a transcendent football analyst or an unlistenable bore because he decided to handcuff himself by becoming the football co-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.
The NFL placed restrictions on Brady in August while his purchase of a 10% stake in the Raiders was pending approval. League owners unanimously approved the deal Tuesday, which means limits on what he can say and how he can proceed with his job as a broadcaster Fox will remain in place as long as he is part owner of the franchise.
And the restrictions are burdensome. Brady is prohibited from criticizing other teams or game officials or participating in broadcast production meetings, which serve as the primary means of preparing for games. He is also not allowed on any team's property other than the Raiders, except in stadiums when calling games, and is not allowed to watch practices.
No obstacle was too great for Brady as a player. He is undoubtedly the greatest quarterback of all time, playing 23 seasons until he was 45 and winning a record seven Super Bowls. He holds the all-time record for most passing yards (12,050), completions (7,753), yards (89,214) and touchdowns (649).
Read more: Could Tom Brady retire and become the owner of the Raiders? He “doesn't mind” playing, even on another team
Brady used his on-field excellence, good looks and boyish charm to land a 10-year, $375 million contract as a color commentator for Fox without a single day of experience. Early reviews were mixed, with his debut album being widely panned but seeing improvement with each passing week.
How can he get better? How can he be honest? The restrictions are the same for all owners and are intended to ensure they do not favor their team or obtain confidential information about opposing franchises. Commentators should be neutral, impartial and not afraid to speak as they see it.
It will be interesting to see how Brady handles his commentary without being able to criticize anyone or even prepare properly. He doesn't seem to be sweating yet.
“I'm tired of all the buildup,” Brady said, yawning, on “Last Week With Thomas,” a YouTube series following his debut calling the Dallas Cowboys game at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sept. 8. “A lot of emotional energy and not really knowing how everything was going to turn out. Lots of fun for sure. There's definitely something to clean up. So it's all a learning process.”
Read more: NFL Network Host Apologizes After Criticizing Tom Brady's TV Debut: 'I'm Kicking You'
Within six weeks, he felt comfortable enough to throw some shade at Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning during Brady's appeal to the Detroit Lions and Cowboys on Sunday, downplaying Manning's record 55 passing yards in 2013, saying many of them were the result of picks.
“They have focused a lot on calling these pick plays over the years. Every remote contact was a flag,” Brady said after the Lions were stripped of a touchdown for offensive pass interference following an illegal pick. “I saw Peyton Manning throw for 55 touchdowns – that offense had more pick plays than in the history of NFL football. From then on they started breaking up. Believe me, I tried using them all the time too.”
Brady's 10% stake in the Raiders does not exceed the 30% threshold required to be considered majority owner, meaning decision-making power remains in Brady's hands. Mark Daviswho owns approximately 60% of the franchise. However, a league source told Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Brady's strong voice is expected to clutter up his Sunday show with Fox even more.
“It doesn't matter what percentage he has, what matters is the percentage the owner entrusts him to advise and help make football decisions,” the source said. “And I think Mark will give him a long leash for it.”
Read more: NFL players-turned-broadcasters warn Tom Brady as he enters the broadcast booth
For his part, Brady is thrilled to be approved as an owner.
“I am incredibly honored and thrilled to be unanimously confirmed as the owner of the Las Vegas Raiders,” he wrote on X. “Throughout my NFL career, I have learned that, at its core, football is a game of teamwork. resilience and constant pursuit of perfection. The Raiders franchise and the city of Las Vegas embody these same values, and I am honored to be a part of this story.
“I want to contribute to the organization in every way I can, honoring the rich tradition of the Raiders while finding every possible opportunity to enhance our offering to fans… and most importantly, WIN football games.”
The best, most interesting and weirdest stories of the day from the Los Angeles sports scene and beyond can be found in our newsletter, The Sports Report.
This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
