Tom Brady already has to deal with a number of restrictions because he splits his time between being a Fox Sports commentator and a co-owner of the Raiders. The NFL may enact additional regulations as the legendary quarterback’s broadcast career develops in order to deny the Las Vegas team any competitive advantages.
Sports Business Journal’s Ben Fischer reports that some NFL owners recently talked about the issues surrounding Brady’s one-on-one player interviews. The NFL may need to impose extra restrictions “to ensure Brady does not receive information he shouldn’t as a Raiders partner,” according to the league, which cited a recent conversation between Brady and Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes.
To guarantee that Brady’s discussions are made public, the NFL is specifically thinking of limiting him to “live or recorded interviews for broadcast only.” In addition, the NFL would forbid Brady from speaking with athletes one-on-one in private. Brady might also be forced to do television interviews outside of team hotels and facilities. The league may also need to approve and oversee the interviews beforehand.
Brady’s attendance at pregame production meetings with coaches and players has already been banned by the NFL. Brady is also prohibited from publicly criticising officials and from going to the practice grounds of the other clubs. These limitations are typical for all club owners, as Fischer points out, but they inevitably present some challenges for Brady as a broadcaster.
One team tried to get around these rules and let Brady go to a pre-production meeting, according to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com. The NFL, however, declined, and according to Florio, there was a feeling that neither Fox Sports nor their broadcaster were eager to “push back.”
Brady’s function as a Patriots franchise ambassador is being scrutinised in addition to his announcing duties. According to Fischer, the future Hall of Famer agreed in 2023 to periodically visit Patriots activities, and he will always be associated with the team. The league is discussing whether Brady’s involvement with one team and his ownership stake in another team are “appropriate.”