Despite his involvement in the Las Vegas Raiders head coaching search as a co-owner of the team, Tom Brady will remain in his role as Fox’s No. 1 game analyst in the NFL, according to his agent.
Don Yee said Sports Affairs Journal that Brady intends to fulfill the 10-year, $375 million contract he has with Fox Sports. He will have nine years remaining on this contract after this season.
“Tom has had a great time working with Fox this year, and he is really excited about the future with Fox and his growth as a part of their team,” Yee told SBJ’s Ben Fischer. “And this year was the first year of a long relationship.”
Brady’s involvement in the Raiders’ coaching search presents a conflict of interest with him and playing partner Kevin Burkhardt calling Saturday’s divisional round playoff game between the Washington Commanders and the Washington Lions. Detroit. If the Lions advance to the NFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl, Brady and Burkhardt will broadcast those matchups as well.
The Raiders interviewed Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as part of their coaching search. Brady would have played an active role in the recruitment of Johnson interview for the position.
Under rules put in place by the NFL when he took a stake in the Raiders, Brady is not allowed access to another team’s facilities. He is also not allowed to attend other teams’ practices or participate in production meetings with the coaches, players and executives of any team whose game he calls.
Yet, as Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports detailed, the analysis Brady provided for a Lions game Johnson is coaching raises several questions:
“How is Brady supposed to call a game without making any mention of Johnson and his offense? Would Brady be honest if he thinks Johnson’s game plan is flawed? That’s part of being a color commentator. It’s almost impossible for Brady to call a game without some of his comments seeming to blur the lines between the Fox announcer and the Raiders’ limited owner.
Other teams competing to hire the Lions’ offensive coordinator reportedly have legitimate concerns that Brady — and therefore the Raiders — would gain an advantage by providing analysis and possible praise on Johnson’s plans.
Fox apparently doesn’t view Brady’s perceived conflict as a problem. Neither will Brady and his representation, given the stated intent to fulfill his contract. Whether Brady’s comment on Fox’s broadcast Saturday alleviates or persists the concerns will remain a subplot, perhaps for the next month.
