NFL fans have called for Tom Brady to be fired from Fox just six weeks into his blockbuster 10-year, $375 million deal as an analyst.
The NFL legend’s love affair with football continued Tuesday when his long-awaited bid to become a part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders was finally approved.
The seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback initially agreed to become a limited partner of the Raiders back in May 2023 but his 10 percent stake deal was stalled amid concerns from other NFL owners regarding his quoted price and new role as an analyst for Fox Sports.
And, now that it has finally been given the green light, fans have expressed concerns of their own.
Many on social media claimed that the restrictions placed on Brady by the league – due to his newfound ownership – render his media duties redundant.
Tom Brady was finally approved as a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders Tuesday
Due to his new role, multiple restrictions were placed on the NFL legend and his Fox role
As a part owner of a franchise, Brady is not permitted to attend in-person or online broadcast production meetings and may not have access to team facilities, players or coaches – access Fox and other networks are typically afforded.
He will also have to watch what he says in the booth as Brady must abide by the league constitution and bylaws that prohibit public criticism of officials and other clubs.
While these restrictions were already in place since the beginning of his broadcasting career in summer due to his pending bid, fans are now claiming that Fox should have the right to terminate Brady’s contract.
‘No but if I’m fox producers and executives I’m p****d off cause he can’t do his job,’ on fan posted to X, formerly known as Twitter. ‘He can just show up Sunday and say how everyone is doing a great job.’
‘Brady made a mistake with this Fox job,’ another added. ‘It’s very lucrative but this is not for him. If he becomes a minority owner, his contract can be terminated. Those two things are incompatible.’
‘It kinda should [void his contract],’ agreed a third. ‘How are you supposed to prepare to call a game if you are prohibited from being anywhere near any preparation?’
Another echoed the argument, claiming it set a troublesome precedent for the league.
‘Owners shouldn’t be be allowed to call games each week,’ they wrote. ‘Tom Brady is about to become a minority owner. He’s also on the FOX A-crew every week. Bad precedent to set. Gets access to teams his club competes with (he’ll forego some of that access apparently). Shouldn’t be allowed.’
Many fans claimed on social media that Fox should have the right to terminate Brady’s contract
‘How can you broadcast a game without ever criticizing another team or official? Sounds like he needs to resign,’ one social media user added, while another asked, ‘How can FOX be serious and keep him as a color analyst?’
One NFL fan insisted that the network had to have a ‘contract out’ over the move due to the lucrative figure they are paying the retired quarterback.
While some didn’t feel the restrictions required such drastic actions, they did concede that they would considerably hinder Brady in his role with many claiming his inability to criticize teams and officials would render him ‘terrible’ at the job.
‘Tom bout [sic] to be the only announcer to get fined by the league if he critiques an official lmao,’ one posted. ‘Considering Tom is at his best just giving it straight that’s actually quite substantial thing to take away.’
Another chimed in, writing: ‘Wait, so he’s a broadcaster but can’t enter any facility other than the Raiders and watch practice? Announcers tell us all the time stuff they saw in practice. And he can’t attend broadcast meetings?
‘This one makes no sense at all. He was already a mediocre broadcaster and this stuff just makes it much harder.’
‘It does make him a terrible commentator,’ a third agreed. ‘Not being allowed to criticize coaches, players, or teams in general makes it impossible to be objective or interesting.’
‘Brady might as well not prepare nor talk during the football broadcast,’ another piped up. ‘He can’t do anything but just show up at the stadium, walk around the field during pre-game warm-ups, live off of his fame and looks.’
Other social media users conceded that the restrictions would considerably hinder Brady
‘Too many rules and restrictions. He won’t be very good in the booth – At all,’ one agreed.
Many others claimed there was ‘no point’ Brady continuing in the booth if he didn’t have the same freedom as other commentators.
‘Can’t really understand what the point of him to still work on fox,’ one said before another added: ‘Ok, so take him off tv then what’s the point’
‘So wtf is he supposed to talk about? The weather?’ a third asked.
Brady’s deal to take a 10 percent stake in the team – which he is splitting down the middle with business partner Tom Wagner – was held up over the last 17 months amid the concerns from other NFL owners.
Many claimed there was ‘no point’ Brady continuing in the booth if he didn’t have freedom
Yet according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport , this week Brady was granted official approval by his now co-owners in the league.
The 47-year-old’s minority stake in Las Vegas also confirms the end of his playing career, given active players are prevented from investing in or owning NFL teams by the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Despite hanging up his cleats over 18 months ago, he has been frequently linked with a return to the field, most recently with the Miami Dolphins .
Brady’s Raiders deal will now put those rumors to bed as he focuses on his new chapter as a former player.
