NFL fans all say the same thing about Tom Brady’s $375m Fox deal after he was approved as Raiders co-owner

NFL fans have called for Tom Brady to be fired from Fox, just six weeks after his blockbuster 10-year, $375 million analyst deal.

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 with the Raiders in May 2023, but his 10 percent deal stalled amid concerns from other NFL owners about his quoted price and new role as an analyst for Fox Sports. .

And now that it has finally been given the green light, fans have expressed their own concerns.

Many on social media claimed that the restrictions the league placed on Brady – due to his new ownership – make his media duties redundant.

As part owner of a franchise, Brady is not allowed to attend in-person or online production meetings and may not have access to team facilities, players or coaches — access that Fox and other networks typically receive.

He will also have to be careful what he says on the stand, as Brady must adhere to the league’s constitution and bylaws, which prohibit public criticism of officials and other clubs.

While these restrictions have been in place since the start of his broadcast career in the summer due to his pending bid, fans are now claiming that Fox should have the right to terminate Brady’s contract.

“No, but if I’m Fox producers and executives, I’m lost because he can’t do his job,” one fan wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “He can just come over on Sunday and say everyone is doing great.”

“Brady made a mistake on this Fox job,” another added. ‘It’s very lucrative, but this isn’t for him. If he becomes a minority owner, his contract could be terminated. Those two things are incompatible.”

‘That should actually be the case [void his contract]’ a third agreed. “How are you supposed to prepare for a competition if you are forbidden to go anywhere near a preparation?”

Another echoed the argument, claiming it set an awkward precedent for the league.

“Owners should not be allowed to call games every week,” they wrote. “Tom Brady is about to become a minority owner. He is also a weekly member of the FOX A crew. Bad precedent to set. Gains access to teams his club competes with (he will apparently withhold some of that access). That shouldn’t be allowed.’

‘How can you broadcast a game without ever criticizing another team or an official? Looks like he should 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 should have a ‘contract out’ for the move because of the lucrative amount they are paying the retired quarterback.

While some did not feel the restrictions required such drastic measures, they did admit that they would significantly hinder Brady in his role, with many arguing that his inability to criticize teams and officials would make him “terrible” at his job.

“Tom bout [sic] to be the only announcer to get fined by the league for criticizing an official lmao,” one person said. “Considering that Tom is at his best to just be honest, that’s actually quite substantial to take away.”

Another jumped in, writing, “Wait so he’s a broadcaster but can’t enter any facility other than the Raiders to watch practice? Announcers tell us all the time things they’ve seen in practice. And he can’t attend broadcast meetings?

‘This one makes no sense at all. He was already a mediocre broadcaster and things like this just make it harder.”

“It does make him a terrible commentator,” a third agreed. ‘Not being allowed to criticize coaches, players or teams in general makes it impossible to be objective or interesting.’

“Brady might as well not prepare or talk during the football broadcast,” said another. “He can’t do anything but just come to the stadium, walk around the field during the pre-match warm-up, and live off his fame and appearance.”

‘Too many rules and restrictions. He won’t be very good in the position. Not at all,” someone agreed.

Many others argued that there was “no point” in Brady remaining in the booth if he didn’t have the same freedom as other commentators.

“I don’t really see what the point is of him still working on Fox,” said one, before the other added: “Okay, so get him off TV, what’s the point?”

“So what should he be talking about? The weather?’ asked a third.

Brady’s deal to take a 10 percent stake in the team – which he splits down the middle with business partner Tom Wagner – has been delayed for the past seventeen months due to the concerns of other NFL owners.

But according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Brady received official approval from his now co-owners in the league this week.

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 boots more than 18 months ago, he has been regularly linked with a return to the field, most recently with the Miami Dolphins.

Brady’s Raiders deal will now put these rumors to bed as he focuses on his new chapter as a former player.