Tom Brady touches down in Australia for speaking tour – as Aussie NFL star says the quarterback is ‘up there with Michael Jordan’ as America’s greatest sportsman
- Brady arrived in Melbourne
- Will speak to fans tonight
- Praised for its global influence
NFL royalty has arrived in Australia as Tom Brady lands in Melbourne on Saturday, with an Australian footy star saying his global influence was ‘up there with Jordan’
Brady is a man who needs no introduction, regardless of the country he sets foot in, despite playing an exclusively American sport with no international competition.
Finally calling time on his career in 2023, Brady is a seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback, six times with the New England Patriots and once with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and is a five-time Super Bowl MVP.
He is in Australia or three exclusive sit-down ‘An Evening with Tom Brady’ events in Melbourne and Brisbane, the first of which will be held on Saturday evening at Palladium at Crown.
Brady arrived wearing a sweater over a white shirt, a San Francisco Giants baseball cap and dark sunglasses ahead of his speaking tour that starts in Melbourne on Saturday.
Brady traveled light on the trip, with just a handful of suits and three small bags
Brady arrived with a small entourage, including his trainer and security, for his trip to Australia
Brady traveled directly from the United States on a private jet, less than 24 hours after an event in his role as strategic advisor to Delta Airline and a workout at the gym in Vegas.
While he arrived to a subdued reception in Melbourne, his speaking engagements are expected to be packed with Aussie NFL fans, including a host of AFL players such as Collingwood stars Josh and Nick Daicos.
Former St Kilda star and Philadelphia Eagles punter Arryn Siposs played in the 2023 Super Bowl and said Brady’s global influence was NBA star Michael Jordan leading the Chicago Bulls to three titles in the 1990s.
“The easiest way to describe him is probably the greatest of all time, to be honest,” Siposs said.
“The accolades he has received – seven-time Super Bowl champion, five-time MVP, 21 seasons in the NFL – all came as a sixth-round draft pick.
“I’d say he’s right up there with the Michael Jordan stuff – wherever he went, everyone knew who he was and I’d say Tom Brady is almost of that caliber.
“If not, then he’s right and it’s safe to say he probably can’t go anywhere in the world without being recognized or without people knowing who he is.”
Diehard fans descended on Melbourne Airport hoping to catch a glimpse of Brady and an autograph
Brady is a quarterback who has won the Super Bowl seven times, six times with the New England Patriots and once with the Tampa Bay Buccaneer
The fully booked “Touch Down Packages,” which included a second-row seat, a signed jersey and a photo opportunity with the superstar, quickly sold for $3,999 each.
For the “Legends” tickets, which include an autographed football and a photo, NFL enthusiasts paid $2,999.
All the cheapest seats, priced from $99, were sold out, as were the most affordable photo opportunities, which were available for $1299.