The NFL could be tightening the vise even more on Tom Brady's broadcasting career and the retired quarterback could have a meeting with Patrick Mahomes to blame.
NFL legend Brady is in his rookie season of a 10-year, $375million contract as an announcer for Fox Sports but has endured a rocky start to life in the booth.
The seven-time Super Bowl winner has received mixed reviews on his on-air performance after being heavily slated for his debut.
And the 47-year-old's task only became more challenging last month when he was finally approved as a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, leading the league to slap him with a multitude of restrictions which heavily affect his Fox duties.
Now, the NFL icon could be facing an even tougher challenge after franchise owners reportedly raised concerns over his recent interview with Mahomes.
The former quarterback sat down with fellow star signal caller Mahomes ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl rematch against the San Francisco 49ers on Fox's coverage last month.
The NFL could be tightening the vise even more on Tom Brady's broadcasting career
The former quarterback could face more restrictions after his interview with Patrick Mahomes
But the sit-down with the reigning Super Bowl winner could trigger the restrictions on Brady and his broadcasting career to expand.
While the interview was personal in nature and did not touch upon competitive or strategic information, some insiders believe it created a situation where Brady could have received sensitive information about the Chiefs - a Raiders divisional rival - according to Sports Business Journal.
Some owners were reportedly set to be asked if they are happy with Brady continuing to conduct these interviews at a meeting of the finance committee Tuesday.
They were reportedly also said to be pressed on whether additional conditions need to be created to ensure Brady does not receive information he shouldn’t as a Raiders partner.
Discussions were reportedly said to be open-ended but a source told Sports Business Journal that new restrictions could include:
- Limiting Brady’s interaction with players to live or recorded interviews for broadcast only, to ensure the content of their conversations is known publicly, and prohibiting private one-on-one interactions before or after the broadcast component.
- Requiring these kinds of interviews to only happen outside of team facilities, and possibly even away from team hotels.
- Requiring prior approval and monitoring by the league and the players’ team to ensure the interview is within the rules.
The NFL legend's sit-down interview with the Kansas City Chiefs star was personal in nature
Brady 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.
Now, 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.
His 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.
Fans raised concerns last month with many on social media claiming that the restrictions placed on Brady by the league - due to his newfound ownership - render his media duties redundant.
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.
Meanwhile, NFL insiders have claimed that the restrictions could severely impact Brady's future in broadcasting as the potentially drain his passion for the role.
Brady was approved as a minority own of the Raiders last month (Pictured with Mark Davis)
'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,' Pro Football Talk insider Mike Florio said on John Ourand's 'The Varsity' podcast.
'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.'
