Tom Brady is on the verge of adding a new chapter to his storied NFL career—this time as a part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. Brady’s long-standing bid to acquire a minority stake in the franchise has gained significant traction, with reports suggesting that his deal is nearing approval.
While rumors of Brady’s potential return to the field have swirled since his retirement, he has instead focused on expanding his influence in the NFL by pursuing ownership of the Raiders. According to a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Brady’s bid to acquire 10 percent of the team could be voted on by league owners as early as October. If not finalized by then, a resolution is expected during the December labor seminar and Special League meeting, ensuring Brady’s involvement is confirmed by the end of the 2024 NFL season.
The impending approval would conclude a prolonged negotiation process that began when Brady first expressed interest in purchasing a portion of the Raiders in early 2023. Originally, Brady had hoped to finalize the deal by May 2023, but discussions with the NFL’s Finance Committee stalled due to questions surrounding the valuation of the stake being sold to the seven-time Super Bowl champion.
In February, the committee reevaluated the price Brady would pay, adjusting it to reflect the Raiders’ market value. By March, the process had gained momentum, with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell confirming that negotiations were progressing. “We go through a very thorough process on all initial transfers,” Goodell said at the Annual League Meeting, emphasizing the rigorous vetting process for ownership changes.
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Rapoport’s sources indicate that many of the initial hurdles—such as the valuation of Brady’s stake and concerns about his new role with FOX Sports as an NFL broadcaster—have been resolved. Both the NFL and the Raiders are reportedly satisfied with the final terms, and the bid is expected to move from the finance committee to the full ownership vote, where it will require approval from three-fourths of the league’s team owners.
While Brady’s path to ownership is almost set, his affiliation with the Raiders will impose some limitations on his work with FOX Sports. Due to his ownership stake, Brady will be restricted from accessing certain areas such as other teams’ facilities, practices, and production meetings. Additionally, as an NFL team owner, he will be prohibited from criticizing officials during broadcasts, though there will be a fine line between criticism and analysis—an area that remains open to interpretation.
Despite these restrictions, Brady’s broadcasting career is set to begin soon. He will make his debut with FOX Sports on Sunday, calling the Dallas Cowboys vs. Cleveland Browns game at 4:25 p.m. ET. Fans will get their first taste of Brady’s transition from the field to the booth, even as his role as a team owner looms on the horizon.
Raiders owner Mark Davis, who has remained largely tight-lipped about the ongoing negotiations, declined to comment directly on Brady’s bid when asked by NFL.com.
However, he expressed his excitement for the Raiders’ season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, signaling that the franchise is ready to move forward with Brady’s potential involvement.
If approved, Brady’s ownership stake will mark a significant milestone in his post-playing career, allowing him to maintain a direct connection to the NFL while solidifying his presence in the business side of the sport.
With both his broadcasting debut and ownership bid in motion, 2024 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the future Hall of Famer.
