Mike Florio Reveals NFL Owners’ ‘Dirty Little Secret’ as Tom Brady Faces Scrutiny Over $375 Million Broadcasting Deal

The NFL is at a turning point. NFL owners’ annual meetings are about to begin, but several complicated problems might overshadow the customary conversations about rule modifications and league regulations. Chief discussion topics would include the league’s changing position on sports betting and the rapidly rising team values. Amidst this unsettling atmosphere, one subject that has drawn interest from both insiders and fans: Tom Brady‘s attempt to purchase partial ownership of the Las Vegas Raiders.

The seven-time Super Bowl winner has encountered several challenges throughout his journey into club ownership, including doubts about the fairness of the suggested sale price and possible conflicts of interest. Brady’s bid is in jeopardy as the meetings get near, and the NFL’s power brokers will be making choices that might impact the league’s direction long-term.

NFL owners’ sports betting ties questioned

Mike Florio recently disclosed a “dirty little secret” regarding NFL owners’ involvement in the sports betting sector. He stated, “Owners are allowed to hold up to 5% equity in companies that maintain sportsbook operations, but don’t ask them about that. They don’t want to tell you who does and who doesn’t,” highlighting the potential conflicts of interest that may arise as the league continues to benefit from its partnerships with sports betting companies.

Although the NFL’s changing position on sports betting has brought in new sources of income, it has also created a complicated web of interests that must be properly negotiated. According to Florio, “I was told right after it became clear that once the Supreme Court laid the foundation or opened the floodgates for state-by-state legalized wagering and the NFL decided to jump in, not throw its hands up and say, we still are going to resist this, we still want nothing to do with it.”

Read more: “So Excited”: Tom Brady Endorses Sports Illustrated’s New Partnership as He Delivers a Personal Message

The rising value of NFL clubs—Florio projects that they might be worth $8 to $10 billion shortly—has made things difficult for family-owned organizations. The NFL is looking into methods to simplify family-owned teams’ stay in business without switching to a more corporate model to solve these problems. But Florio has suggested a drastic substitute: turning every club into a publicly traded company.

Brady’s $375M Fox deal complicates Raiders bid

Tom Brady’s offer to purchase little more than 10% of the Las Vegas Raiders is still being considered. Brady’s expected ownership share is 7% of the $6.2 billion team, or $434 million. Because Brady has a $375 million television agreement with Fox, the arrangement involving purchasing particular shares known as RLP Shares has come under investigation.

The outcome of Brady’s bid and prospective modifications to ownership regulations will be the main topics of discussion when NFL owners convene for their meetings. Upcoming talks may impact how the league will handle team ownership in the future. With so much at stake, will the NFL’s power brokers prioritize transparency and fairness, or will the allure of new revenue streams and the star power of Tom Brady win the day?

Read more: Big Blow for Tom Brady as NFL Team Owners About to Take a Call on His $434M Worth Raiders Bid