Tom Brady’s post-playing career continues to blur the lines between the broadcast booth and the boardroom - and most NFL players seem to be just fine with that.
Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion and widely regarded as the greatest quarterback to ever play the game, owns a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders while also serving as Fox’s lead NFL analyst. It’s an unusual dual role, and one that’s sparked some debate, especially considering the league’s traditionally strict boundaries between ownership and media access. But according to a recent anonymous player survey, the overwhelming majority of NFL players aren’t losing sleep over it - and the Raiders’ on-field struggles might have something to do with that.
In a poll conducted by The Athletic, nearly 80 players across the league were asked whether they were comfortable with Brady wearing both hats. A resounding 84.2 percent said they were "OK" with it. Only five players said no, while seven responded that they didn’t know or didn’t care.
One NFC defensive veteran summed up the sentiment in blunt terms: “The Raiders f***ing suck. How is it helping with that? What are we talking about?”
It’s a harsh assessment, but it reflects the reality of where the Raiders stand right now. Las Vegas just wrapped up a brutal 3-14 season, one that ended with the firing of head coach Pete Carroll and secured them the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. For all the conversation about Brady’s influence behind the scenes, the product on the field hasn’t exactly benefited.
Brady owns just 5 percent of the franchise, but his presence looms large. He’s said to have significant sway within the organization, working closely with general manager John Spytek. That influence, combined with his high-profile broadcasting role, raised questions about potential conflicts of interest - particularly when it comes to access to teams, players, and inside information.
But the league has drawn some clear lines. Ahead of the 2025 season - Brady’s second under his 10-year, $375 million deal with Fox - the NFL eased a few restrictions.
He’s now allowed to participate in production meetings with teams, as long as they’re held virtually. But he’s still barred from attending practices or entering any team training facilities.
Those rules were put in place when he officially became a minority owner of the Raiders.
Brady was granted access to production meetings with both the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles in the lead-up to Super Bowl 59. But even then, he wasn’t allowed to observe practices - a safeguard designed to maintain competitive integrity.
For most players, though, Brady’s unique position seems to be more of a curiosity than a controversy. Some even see it as a deserved perk for someone with his résumé.
“Only GOATs can do that type of stuff,” one player said.
“He’s earned the right to do that,” another added.
Brady’s post-retirement journey is unlike anything we’ve seen from a former player. He’s not just transitioning into media or dipping a toe into ownership - he’s doing both at the highest levels. And while the Raiders may not be reaping the benefits just yet, the league appears to be navigating this new territory with cautious flexibility.
As for the players? As long as the Raiders keep losing, it seems Brady’s dual role isn’t much of a concern.