Tom Brady just can’t stay away from the NFL, can he? After 23 years of dominating the field as a quarterback, Brady is back—this time as part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.
You might think after winning seven Super Bowls, the guy would want to relax on a beach somewhere, but nope. Tom’s got new business on the horizon, and it’s all about football.
So what’s the deal?
Well, Brady’s now officially a minority owner of the Raiders, with NFL team owners giving the green light for his 5% stake during their fall meeting.
That’s right, the man who terrorized defenses for over two decades is now helping call the shots for an actual NFL team.
The Big Day: Approval from the NFL
Getting approval for this deal wasn’t as easy as just throwing a touchdown pass. It took 17 long months of waiting, talking, and jumping through hoops for the deal to get the final thumbs-up.
NFL owners were thorough with the due diligence, ensuring all the i’s were dotted and the t’s were crossed before welcoming Tom into their exclusive club.
In typical Brady fashion, he took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to share his excitement. He said he’s “incredibly humbled and excited” to be a part of the Raiders’ organization and can’t wait to contribute to the team’s success.
And let’s be real, if anyone knows how to win, it’s Tom Brady.
Mark Davis Welcomes Brady with Open Arms
Mark Davis, the majority owner of the Raiders, is pretty hyped too. He had some kind words for Brady, joking that while he didn’t love facing him on the field, he’s thrilled to have him on board now.
And even though Brady won’t be suiting up in a Raiders uniform (yeah, sorry to disappoint), Davis hinted that the former QB might help the team find and develop their next quarterback. Could you imagine learning from the GOAT himself? Not too shabby.
But Wait, Brady Can’t Play…
Here’s a fun fact: since Brady owns a piece of the team now, he legally can’t come out of retirement and play for the Raiders unless he sells his stake.
So, for all those Raiders fans secretly hoping to see him under center, that dream is officially dead. Brady’s playing days are truly behind him… for now, at least.
Who knows what wild twist life might throw next?
A Slight Conflict of Interest?
One little hiccup in the process was Brady’s new job with Fox. You know, the whole “Tom Brady, TV broadcaster” gig. Some people were worried it might be a conflict of interest since he’s part-owner of a team.
The NFL even placed some restrictions on him, like not allowing him to attend production meetings or hang out with team coaches and players. But don’t worry, he can still broadcast Raiders games.
So, he’ll be able to praise—or criticize—the team he’s got money invested in. No pressure, Raiders.
Brady’s Not New to Owning Teams
This isn’t Brady’s first rodeo when it comes to team ownership. Earlier this year, he bought a minority share in the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, which also happens to be owned by Mark Davis.
So, I think just sipping his toe into the ownership waters, think again. The man’s making serious moves in the sports business world, expanding his portfolio in Las Vegas.
Tom Brady and the Raiders: A Match Made in… Vegas?
You’ve got to admit, there’s something kind of poetic about Tom Brady, the ultimate competitor, teaming up with the Raiders, a franchise with a long history of being, well, rebellious. Brady’s career was built on winning, discipline, and outworking everyone else. The Raiders?
They’re a bit more rough around the edges, known for their “just win, baby” mentality. It’ll be interesting to see how Brady’s influence affects the team’s culture going forward.
The Raiders’ Super Bowl Drought
Now, let’s be real for a second. The Raiders haven’t exactly been on top of the world in recent years. Their last Super Bowl win was in 1983, which feels like a lifetime ago. Since then, it’s been a lot of ups and downs—mostly downs, to be honest.
But with Brady coming on board, there’s a renewed sense of hope. Could his presence and influence finally bring the Raiders back to the glory days? It’s definitely something to keep an eye on.
Brady’s Not Alone: Other NFL Players Turned Owners
Tom Brady isn’t the first former NFL player to buy a piece of a team, but he’s certainly one of the biggest names to do it. He joins the ranks of Hall of Famers like Richard Seymour, who also got approved to buy a minority stake in the Raiders at the same time as Brady.
Seymour, of course, played with Brady during their time in New England. Talk about a small world.
Brady and Seymour now join a pretty exclusive club of former players who became owners, like George Halas Sr., Jerry Richardson, and Warrick Dunn. Not too shabby a company to keep.
What’s Next for the Raiders?
With Brady in the building—well, maybe not literally in the building since he has those pesky restrictions—the Raiders are hoping to turn things around.
They moved to Las Vegas in 2020, and while the new city has brought some excitement, the team still hasn’t won a playoff game since 2003. Yeah, it’s been a rough couple of decades for Raiders fans.
But if there’s one thing Brady knows, it’s winning. The big question is: can his magic touch work from the owner’s box the same way it did on the field?
Only time will tell, but if anyone can help the Raiders figure out how to win again, it’s Tom Brady.
A New Chapter for Brady’s Legacy
For Brady, this move into ownership is the next step in building an already legendary legacy. He’s done it all on the field—23 seasons, seven Super Bowl titles, and countless records. Now, he’s shifting into the business side of things, and honestly, who’s surprised?
Tom has always been strategic about his career, and owning a football team seems like the natural next step.
Plus, it’s not just about the Raiders. Brady’s clearly thinking big picture. He’s dipping his toes into multiple business ventures, and sports ownership is just one piece of the puzzle.
Whether it’s his TB12 brand, his media company, or now owning a piece of two Vegas teams, Brady is setting himself up for long-term success off the field.
Will Brady’s Ownership Style Be Hands-On or Laid Back?
The million-dollar question: how involved is Brady actually going to be with the Raiders? Mark Davis seems to think Brady will help with everything from choosing the next quarterback to maybe even mentoring players.
But knowing Brady’s work ethic, it’s hard to imagine him just sitting back and letting everyone else do the work. Even if he can’t be on the field, you can bet he’ll be involved behind the scenes in some way.
At the same time, he’s got that shiny new job with Fox Sports, which means his time is going to be split between broadcasting and his ownership duties. But if there’s anyone who can juggle multiple responsibilities, it’s Tom Brady. The man is a master of time management, after all.
A Different Kind of Legacy
Brady’s venture into ownership is also a signal of his commitment to the game. He’s not just here for a quick payday or to keep his name in the headlines.
Brady clearly cares deeply about football, and by becoming an owner, he’s ensuring that he’ll have a lasting impact on the game long after his playing days are over.
This is also an opportunity for Brady to influence the next generation of players, coaches, and executives.
He’s already proven himself as a leader on the field, and now he gets to take those skills into the boardroom.
What Do Raiders Fans Think About All This?
It’s safe to say that Raiders fans are divided. Some are excited about the prospect of having Tom Brady, one of the most successful players in NFL history, involved with their team. Others… not so much.
After all, Brady spent a good chunk of his career beating up on the Raiders, most notably during the infamous “Tuck Rule” game back in 2001. Yeah, that’s still a sore spot for a lot of people.
But at the end of the day, winning cures all, right?
If Brady can help the Raiders start winning again, it won’t be long before the fans are fully on board with the new owner.
Sources:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tom-brady-minority-stake-las-vegas-raiders-approved-nfl-team-owners
https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/15/sport/tom-brady-las-vegas-raiders-ownership-spt-intl/index.html
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/15/tom-brady-to-be-part-owner-of-nfls-las-vegas-raiders.html
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