NFL fans have called for Tom Brady to be fired from Fox just six weeks into his blockbuster 10-year, $375 million analyst contract.
The NFL legend’s love affair with football continued Tuesday when his long-awaited bid to become 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 in May 2023, but his 10 percent stake deal stalled amid concerns from other NFL owners regarding his price tag. listed and his new role as an analyst for Fox Sports. .
And, now that it’s finally been given the green light, fans have expressed their own concerns.
Many on social media claimed that the restrictions placed on Brady by the league, due to its new ownership, make his media duties redundant.
Tom Brady was finally approved as a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday
Due to his new role, multiple restrictions were placed on the NFL legend and his role at Fox.
As a co-owner of a franchise, Brady is not allowed to attend broadcast production meetings in person or online and may not have access to team facilities, players or coaches; access normally provided to Fox and other networks.
He will also have to be careful what he says in the booth, as Brady must respect the league’s constitution and bylaws that prohibit public criticism of officials and other clubs.
While these restrictions were already in place from the beginning of his television career in the summer due to his pending offer, fans now claim that Fox should have the right to terminate Brady’s contract.
“No, but I’m a producer and executive at Fox, I’m pissed that he can’t do his job,” one fan posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “You can show up on Sunday and say everyone is doing a great job.”
“Brady made a mistake with this job at Fox,” another added. ‘It’s very lucrative but this is not for him. If you become a minority owner, your contract can be terminated. Those two things are incompatible.
“He should (cancel his contract),” a third agreed. ‘How are you supposed to prepare to call a game if you’re banned from being around any preparation?’
Another echoed the argument, stating that it set a problematic precedent for the league.
“Owners should not be allowed to announce games every week,” they wrote. ‘Tom Brady is about to become a minority owner. He is also part of the FOX A-team every week. Bad precedent to set. You get access to the teams your club competes with (apparently you’ll give up some of that access). It 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 criticizing another team or official? Looks 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 the network had to have a “contract buyout” for the move because of the lucrative amount they are paying the retired quarterback.
While some did not feel the restrictions required such drastic actions, they did admit that they would significantly hinder Brady in his role, with many stating that his inability to criticize teams and officials would make him “terrible” at the job.
“Tom bout (sic) will be the only announcer that will be fined by the league if he criticizes an official lmao,” one posted. “Considering Tom is in his prime, just making it clear, that’s a pretty important thing to bring out.”
Another chimed in and wrote: ‘Wait, so he’s a broadcaster but he can’t enter any facility other than the Raiders and watch practice?’ The announcers tell us all the time things they saw in practice. And you can’t attend streaming meetings?
‘This doesn’t make any sense at all. “I was already a mediocre announcer and this makes it much more difficult.”
“That makes him a terrible commentator,” a third agreed. “Not being able to criticize coaches, players or teams in general makes it impossible to be objective or interesting.”
“Brady better not prepare or talk during the football broadcast,” another chimed in. “He can’t do anything but show up at the stadium, walk around the field during pre-game warmups, live off his fame and his appearance.”
Other social media users admitted that the restrictions would significantly hamper Brady.
‘Too many rules and restrictions. “It won’t be very good in the cabin… at all,” one agreed.
Many others stated that there was “no point” in Brady continuing in the booth if he didn’t have the same freedom as other commentators.
“I really can’t understand what the point is of him still working at Fox,” one said before another added: “Ok, so get him off TV, so what’s the point?”
‘So what are you supposed to talk about? The weather?’ asked a third.
Brady’s deal to take a 10 percent stake in the team, which he is splitting in half with business partner Tom Wagner, has been delayed for the past 17 months amid concerns from other NFL owners.
Many stated that it “made no sense” for Brady to continue in the cabin if he did not have freedom.
However, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, this week Brady received official approval from his now league co-owners.
The 47-year-old’s minority stake in Las Vegas also confirms the end of his playing career, as the Collective Bargaining Agreement prevents active players from investing in or owning NFL teams.
Despite hanging up his cleats more than 18 months ago, he has frequently been linked with a return to the field, most recently with the Miami Dolphins.
Brady’s deal with the Raiders will now put those rumors to rest as he focuses on his new chapter as a former player.