Tom Brady may see his fresh career with FOX Sports as lead NFL analyst compromised due to his minority ownership of the Las Vegas Raiders.
The seven-time Super Bowl winner, who is best know for his six championships with the New England Patriots, inked a massive 10-year deal with FOX estimated at $375 million. But his role came under scrutiny as NFL owners ratified his stake purchase in the Raiders in October.
Restrictions that the league enforced on Brady prevent him from entering other teams' facilities, observing their practice sessions, or sitting in on production meetings for NFL broadcasts. He's also unable to criticise referees or NFL teams due to being an owner.
Pro Football Talk insider Mike Florio explained Brady's tricky situation on John Ourand's 'The Varsity' podcast: "There's an interesting theory that's making the rounds in league circles, because there had been teams that have said to the league, 'We want Tom Brady to be involved in the production meetings.' And through that push and pull because the league says no, no, no, no, no exceptions even if you waive it. It doesn't matter."
Florio raised some eyebrows with his take on Brady's ambitions. He suggested: "There's been a sense that maybe Brady doesn't really want to do it anyway. Because you think of how thinly he's spread, all of the different things that he's doing, it may not be that he wants to be the absolute best at everything he does.
"It may just be that he wants us to think he's the absolute best at everything that he does, and he's doing a lot of different things and he's making a lot of different appearances and he's making a lot of money.
"Him being an owner and him being a broadcaster I think it keeps him from being the absolute best he could ever be. And it just always seemed beneath him - he's Tom Brady... I just wonder how many years he'll continue to do it."
Moreover, Brady's ties with the Raiders were highlighted – he owns a 5 per cent stake in the team, part of a whopping $220 million deal, reported by Sports Pro Media.
This position, alongside his commitments at FOX, means his playing days are over, closing the door on any potential move back to the field with teams like Miami Dolphins. Keep your eyes peeled as the Raiders face off against the Dolphins come Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.