NFL icon Tom Brady has made the headlines, left and right, ever since his retirement. Whether due to his personal life or new professional ventures, Brady has stayed in the media limelight while maintaining his connections to the game. As per recent reports, he plans to join FOX Sports in the broadcasting team this year.

While this might sound like a simple deal, a conflict of interest is rising due to his interest in purchasing a vast NFL side. His potential affiliation with the NFL giants could jeopardize his career as a broadcaster, as questions of biased news will constantly be on the run from fans and pundits. While his deal to buy stakes on the NFL side is still being processed, will he be banned if the agreement is completed?

How did Brady land in this conflict?

Tom Brady is known for his charismatic off-field personality and has been a busy man into his retirement. From making media appearances to a Netflix Roast, Brady is overlooking a potential career in media as he decided to take on the broadcasting job at FOX. While his professional commitments have excited fans, they also have a reason to doubt his appearance, given his entrepreneurial interest in buying the Las Vegas Raiders. The conflict of interest with him gaining Raiders shares could be problematic if he continues to broadcast their games because it would only be human to support the team he has invested in.

Roger Goodell, the NFL Commissioner, has also acknowledged the situation, saying, “I wouldn’t say it’s a delay. We go through an extensive process on all initial transfers, so we’re just going through that process,” He elucidated that the deal going through could change his FOX contract. However, the situation still poses an interesting dilemma. As Brady transitions into broadcasting and ownership, it will be interesting for the fans to see which of the two is his new calling. Brady’s role with FOX is contentious because, if he becomes an owner, his ability to provide unbiased commentary could be questioned. These conflicts could restrict the games he broadcasts, particularly those involving the Raiders and other divisional opponents.

The dilemma dwells in Brady’s deals

Chris Simms, on PFT Live, highlighted a historical precedent. His father, Phil Simms, faced similar issues when Broncos coach Mike Shanahan objected to his presence at practices due to his connection to Bill Parcells. Brady’s connection to the Raiders, even without official ownership, is more direct and could lead to similar objections from other teams.

NFL Executive Vice President of Media Distribution, Hans Schroeder, has clarified the situation, ” Right now, Tom’s not an owner of the Raiders, and as we go into this year, Tom’s able to call any game on the schedule.” Issues include owner Mark Davis’s initial plan to compensate Brady with equity and the purchase price below market value. The NFL has stringent rules on such transactions, adding to the complexity.