Retired Tom Brady’s Hurried Move To Invest Millions in Raiders Franchise Denies Him a Golden Opportunity

Tom Brady may have rushed into his future post-retirement career decisions. It was fine when the 7x Super Bowl champion became a minority owner of the Las Vegas Aces WNBA team. However, his latest move to become a minority partner in the Las Vegas Raiders came as a final nail in the coffin of fan expectations. Brady may have shut the door on a comeback possibility that has been lingering in everyone’s minds for the 114 days since he retired. Yes, according to the NFL rule book, there may be no coming back for Brady. 

Jimmy Garoppolo’s surgery and injury concerns brought up the possible scenario where the Raider Nation could look to their part-owner for some quarterbacking help. However, that could only be a distant desire, as the NFL rules make it extremely hard for Brady to suit up again. Not impossible, but really hard. So what do the rules state? 

Can Tom Brady make a playing comeback while remaining a minority owner? 

Mark Davis, who owns both the Aces and the Raiders, announced Tom Brady as a minority partner of the franchise this week, pending league review. While the Sin City natives were over the moon to have the 15x Pro Bowler as a part of the organization, some weren’t satisfied to see Brady only in the owner’s box. 

Chris Brockman made some interesting points on The Rich Eisen Show. “If there is a quarterback spot open on Week 1 and Jimmy G can’t go, hey, just come on down from the owner’s box. And then it’s the Super Bowl. And guess where the Super Bowl is being played? Las Vegas,” he said with a smile.  

As much as Brockman’s words instilled hope in the hearts of Raider Nation, it’s still pretty far-fetched given the league’s loopholes.

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As per the rules, part team owners cannot play a dual role in the franchise they own. Not unless all the other 31 team owners ratify the decision. “NFL rules require a vote of all 32 teams to allow anyone to play while holding a financial interest in a club,” ESPN’s Jeff Darlington reported. And that looks extremely unlikely. Team owners would never knowingly allow the greatest quarterback in the history of the game to suit up for their rival team. 

So what is Tom Brady’s key role in Las Vegas? 

As per Mark Davis’ announcement, TB12 will serve as a ‘passive’ investor, without any control over the key team decisions and business moves. Brady’s impact is mainly going to be felt in getting the Las Vegas crowd more involved. The Raiders organization shifted from Oakland three years ago and hasn’t fully seen the Sin City support at home games. And Brady will provide the necessary marketing push. This, sadly, removes the possibility of Brady ever donning the famed silver and black.

The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB1 certainly hoped for the NFL’s rules to be more flexible like the National Arena League. Brady’s former wideout Antonio Brown recently announced that he will play for the Albany Empires, a team he owns, to boost their ticket sales. 

Nothing is for sure as the league rules keep changing and evolving. However, for now, fans can put the Brady-comeback theories to rest.

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