Tom Brady, the legendary former quarterback for the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, spent the 2023 NFL season meticulously preparing for his highly anticipated transition to broadcasting. As he gears up for his new role as a Fox Sports commentator, Brady and his play-by-play partner Kevin Burkhardt took a proactive approach by calling 17 practice games last season, as reported by Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports. This preparation sets the stage for their official debut as a broadcasting duo in the upcoming 2024 NFL season.
Brady and Burkhardt will make their first on-air appearance this Sunday, as they call the season opener between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns. The game will mark the beginning of Brady’s 10-year, $375 million contract with Fox Sports, a deal that was announced back in 2022. The network had initially planned for Brady to join the broadcast booth right after his retirement from the NFL, but Brady opted to take the 2023 season to hone his skills and perfect his approach to sports commentary.
“I want to be great at what I do,” Brady told Colin Cowherd during an appearance on FOX Sports 1’s The Herd in February 2023. Brady explained that the extra time to prepare would help him transition more smoothly into his new role. “The leadership at Fox Sports allowing me to start my opportunity in the fall of 2024 is something that’s great for me. So, (I’ll) take some time to really learn, become great at what I want to do, and make sure I don’t rush into anything.”
Brady’s extensive preparation involved more than just practice games. He also dedicated time to studying some of the top broadcasters in the field, including CBS’ Tony Romo, ESPN’s Troy Aikman, and NBC’s Cris Collinsworth, according to Andrew Marchand of The Athletic. In January, Brady even spent time in the NBC booth with Collinsworth and play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico, observing their production process firsthand. Brady’s commitment to excellence extended beyond the booth, as he frequently called his new broadcast partners to discuss ways to improve, showing his eagerness to learn and adapt to his new role.
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In addition to these preparations, Brady will be bringing unique tools from his own 23-year career in the NFL to the broadcast booth. According to the NFL, he plans to use call sheets and scouting reports from every game he played, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the game that he can share with viewers. His deep knowledge of football strategy and game preparation will no doubt set him apart as an analyst.
However, Brady’s new venture does come with a few challenges. Due to his interest in becoming a part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, the NFL has imposed certain restrictions on his access to teams during his broadcasting career. According to Mark Anderson and Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press, Brady will not be allowed to attend “in-person or online broadcast production meetings” or access team facilities, players, or coaches. Despite these limitations, Brady can still speak with players and coaches over the phone and will rely on his broadcast partners for additional insights.
With all the groundwork laid, Brady is set to make his broadcasting debut in what he predicts will be a “defensive game” between the Cowboys and Browns. As one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in NFL history, Brady is expected to bring his unique perspective, football IQ, and meticulous preparation to the booth, offering fans a fresh take on the game.
As Sunday’s season opener approaches, all eyes will be on Brady as he embarks on this new chapter of his career, transitioning from the gridiron to the broadcast booth. With a year of preparation, study, and practice under his belt, Brady is poised to bring the same level of excellence to the world of sports commentary that he demonstrated throughout his Hall of Fame football career.
