The debate over Tom Brady’s dual role as both an NFL team owner and a broadcaster reached new heights this week.
On First Take, ESPN analyst Marcus Spears criticized the league for allowing Brady to call games for Fox while also holding a minority ownership stake in the Las Vegas Raiders.
Brady was spotted in the Raiders’ coaching box on Monday night wearing a headset, just hours after announcing his participation in a Saudi Arabian flag football event.
That appearance, coupled with reports from Peter Schrager about Brady’s regular involvement behind the scenes, reignited concerns about a potential conflict of interest.
On Get Up, Domonique Foxworth questioned why any NFL team would feel comfortable sharing information with Brady knowing the Raiders are on the schedule. Spears took it further, calling the NFL’s stance on the matter “abhorrent.”
“I hate it,” Spears said. “You’re a five percent owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. Sit wherever the hell you wanna sit at the game. If you wanna be on the sideline with a headset on, fine. But this should not happen with him being a commentator of NFL football games. It actually questions the integrity of the NFL.”
Former NFL lineman Chris Canty added context, pointing out that Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon also stood on the sideline with a headset recently though she is not part of any broadcast team. Spears argued that the key difference is the privileged access Brady receives in pre-production meetings with coaches and players when preparing to call games.
“Teams share sensitive information in those meetings,” Spears warned. “At some point the Raiders are going to face those same teams. Would anyone be okay if Jerry Jones had that kind of access? No chance.”
For now, the NFL appears content to let Brady navigate both worlds. But as more analysts and fans raise integrity concerns, the league may be forced to confront the issue head-on.
