Fox has reportedly turned down an ambitious offer from Netflix to hire Tom Brady for its Christmas Day NFL coverage.
Brady recently began his new adventure as an NFL analyst for Fox after signing a staggering $375 million deal with the network ahead of the 2024 season.
The seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback, who was criticized for his debut in the broadcast booth earlier this month, is tied to Fox on a 10-year contract, meaning he will be unavailable to rivals for the next decade.
And according to the The New York PostNetflix recently found this out the hard way.
The streaming giant, which recently landed a $150 million deal to broadcast Chiefs vs. Steelers and Ravens vs. Texans on Christmas Day, is believed to have asked Fox if it could use Brady for its NFL holiday broadcasts, a request that was quickly denied.
Fox has rejected an ambitious offer from Netflix to hire Tom Brady for its Christmas Day NFL coverage
Netflix was interested in pairing the football icon with his current television partner Kevin Burkhardt, but Fox turned down the offer.
After failing to land Brady and Burkhardt, players like Ian Eagle, Noah Eagle, Greg Olsen and Nate Burleson have emerged as alternative targets.
No deal has yet been finalized, though Fox is understood to be “contemplating” a deal for Olsen.
Netflix wanted to hire Brady for its Christmas Day games despite his controversial start to the announcement.
The 47-year-old’s debut for the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns’ season openers was heavily scrutinized earlier this month, with NFL fans criticizing his performance in the booth.
Some fans criticized him early on after a strange expression when he said: “It’s hard to make 10 yards, but really hard to make 20 yards.”
One fan wrote on X: ‘Maybe someone should have listened to Tom Brady’s actual words before spending $300 million on him,’ referencing the 10-year, $375 million contract Fox gave him.
Netflix was interested in bringing Brady and Fox partner Kevin Burkhardt on board for its holiday broadcasts.
But Fox rejected offers from the streaming giants after Brady recently began his $375 million deal.
However, Brady managed to pull off one of his famous NFL comebacks by improving his performance during the Cowboys’ loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 2.
And there was one moment in particular that convinced NFL fans he was fit for the job.
Trailing 28-13 and moving forward, Cowboys quarterback Prescott looked in the direction of Jalen Brooks, but the second-year receiver slipped on his route and the pass was intercepted.
After the gaffe, Fox Sports broadcaster Kevin Burkhardt asked Brady on commentary if Prescott should go back to receiver during the game, and the retired quarterback didn’t hold back.
Brady did not hesitate and immediately offered a very forceful response: “Not today.”
“It’s actually pretty hard to go back there today,” he added. “You know where it is and you think, ‘Gosh, I’m going to go see it and I can’t count on it staying upright.'”
The legendary NFL quarterback’s broadcasting career has so far proven controversial.
“Obviously, he’s confident he’ll do the right thing, but can he make the play? Ultimately, can he go out there and execute it?”
NFL fans applauded Brady’s brutal honesty, with many calling it the best moment of his broadcasting career so far.
“Tom Brady wasn’t joking. It was cold blooded lol,” one fan posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“The best moment of Tom Brady’s young career as a commentator just happened,” said another. “After the Cowboys’ rookie receiver slips, leading to an interception, Burkhardt asks if Prescott should go back to the rookie receiver to regain confidence.”
