Tom Brady’s Potential Ownership Stake in Raiders Ends Comeback Talks
Rumors have been swirling for years about Tom Brady potentially making a comeback to playing football, fueled in part by his refusal to definitively shut down the possibility. The legendary quarterback, known as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time), previously came out of retirement once before, adding to the speculation. However, it seems that any hopes of seeing Brady back on the field will be dashed if his dream of owning a portion of an NFL team comes to fruition.
According to multiple league sources speaking to CBS Sports, if and when Brady is approved as a partial owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, he will be prohibited from playing for any NFL team, including the Raiders themselves. This marks a significant shift from the league’s previous stance in the spring of 2023, when it was confirmed that Brady could own a share of the Raiders and potentially play for them with the approval of three-fourths of team owners.
The change in policy came about as a result of a rule modification in July 2023, recommended by the NFL’s finance committee and subsequently passed by team ownership. The new rule specifically prohibits employees, such as players, who are not family members of a team’s owner from holding equity in the franchise. This designation as an employee would disqualify Brady, or any other player, from owning a stake in an NFL team under the revised policy.
The NFL declined to comment on individual cases, but a document obtained by CBS Sports outlined the rationale behind the rule change, stating that it was intended to prevent club employees who are not the principal owner or a member of the owner’s family from owning equity in a team. The decision was made to align with the Finance Committee’s position on transactions involving club employees.
Brady had initially reached an agreement with Raiders owner Mark Davis in May 2023 to acquire a portion of the team, pending league approval. However, the valuation of the Raiders raised concerns among some teams, delaying the process. Those issues have since been addressed, and Brady could potentially receive approval at the upcoming league meetings in October or December.
Currently, Brady is transitioning into a new role as a broadcaster for FOX, having retired from playing football for good in February 2023. Despite his official retirement, Brady has kept the door slightly ajar for a potential return to the field, acknowledging the possibility of a second unretirement in a podcast interview. However, with the recent rule change regarding ownership and player status, his chances of a comeback seem increasingly unlikely.
The NFL’s decision to prohibit employees from owning equity in teams reflects a broader trend in professional sports, where athletes are seeking to diversify their investments and secure ownership stakes in sports franchises. For example, soccer superstar Lionel Messi acquired a piece of Inter Miami as part of his move to Major League Soccer, while football players like Aaron Rodgers and Caleb Williams explored equity opportunities before signing traditional contracts.
The league’s concerns about potential conflicts of interest and salary cap circumventions were cited as reasons for implementing the new ownership policy. By preventing employees from holding ownership stakes in teams, the NFL aims to maintain the integrity of the league and ensure fair competition among franchises.
As the landscape of sports ownership evolves, with private equity firms now permitted to own shares of NFL teams, the league is also taking steps to address potential loopholes. Sources indicate that an NFL employee cannot be part of a private equity firm that acquires a minority stake in a team, further reinforcing the restrictions on ownership for players.
In a strategic move, the NFL recently approved a rule allowing team owners to sell up to 10% of their franchises to select private equity firms, providing new avenues for investment in the league. This decision reflects the changing dynamics of sports ownership and the increasing interest from external investors in acquiring stakes in professional sports teams.
Overall, the NFL’s updated ownership policies signal a shift towards greater regulation and oversight in the realm of team ownership, aiming to maintain transparency and fairness within the league. As players like Tom Brady navigate the intersection of ownership and playing careers, they must adhere to the league’s guidelines and restrictions to ensure compliance with the evolving landscape of professional sports ownership.