Tag: Tom Brady

Feb 7, 2021; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) hoists the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images

Bill Belichick: Lombardi Trophy should be renamed after Tom Brady

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Bill Belichick has been adamant throughout the years that players win championships.

With that in mind, Belichick suggested that the Lombardi Trophy be renamed after Tom Brady. After all, the decorated quarterback won an NFL-record seven Super Bowl titles in his career — six with Belichick as his head coach with the New England Patriots and another with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Belichick has since moved on from the Patriots and became the head coach at North Carolina. He made his comments during his weekly appearance on SiriusXM’s “Let’s Go” podcast.

“Players win games. You can’t win games without good players,” Belichick said in a conversation with co-host Jim Gray. “I don’t care who the coach is, it’s impossible. You can’t win without good players. You know, I found that out when I had (Lawrence) Taylor and (Carl) Banks and Harry Carson, Pepper Johnson, Jim Burt, Everson Walls, all those guys at the Giants. And same thing when we got good at Cleveland and then at New England. I mean, it’s (Tom) Brady, it’s (Willie) McGinest, it’s (Mike) Vrabel, it’s (Tedy) Bruschi, it’s Corey Dillon, it’s Randy Moss, Troy Brown, Lawyer Milloy, Ty Law, Rodney Harrison. Those are guys that won the games, man. I didn’t make any tackles. I didn’t make any kicks. That was (Adam) Vinatieri that made that kick in four inches of snow.

“You gotta have good players and as a coach, you want to give your players a chance to win. You wanna put ’em in a position where if they go out there and play well, they’ll have a chance to win. That’s what coach (Bill) Parcells taught me, is there’s always a way to win. You just gotta figure out what it is, and you have to give the players a chance.”

Gray noted that “They don’t name it the Starr Trophy,” referring to Bart Starr, the quarterback who guided the Green Bay Packers to those first two Super Bowl wins. “It’s named the Lombardi Trophy.”

Belichick quipped, “Maybe they should name it the Brady Trophy. He won seven of them.”

A five-time Super Bowl MVP, Brady captured titles with the Patriots in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016 and 2018 and another with the Buccaneers in 2020.

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; FOX broadcaster and former NFL quarterback Tom Brady looks on before the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Tom Brady had ‘best time,’ no intention of leaving Fox early

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tom Brady will be the color commentator for Fox Sports during both the upcoming NFC Championship Game, as well as the Super Bowl, and indicated Wednesday that he hopes there are many more big games to come during his budding broadcasting career.

Brady is merely getting to the end of the first season in a 10-year broadcasting contract with Fox, but the former star quarterback also was brought into the Las Vegas Raiders’ ownership group in 2024, and speculation had centered on that becoming his full-time focus.

On “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” on Wednesday, Brady scoffed at the notion that his television career would be finished just as it was getting started.

“I don’t know where it comes from. I know it always says, ‘sources close to Brady,’ or whatever. But I’ve had the best time at Fox,” Brady said. “I’ve loved every time going into the booth and working with such great people, starting with my partner Kevin (Burkhardt).”

A $375 million contract with Fox also gives Brady plenty of incentive to remain in the booth, and all indications are that the seven-time Super Bowl champion is set to return next season.

“It’s been a lot of growth for me in one year, and I really can’t wait to see what it looks like in year two, and way beyond that too,” Brady told Cowherd. “So I’ve got nine years left on my deal. Maybe longer, you never know. If Fox wants me, and I want to go, then we’ll keep going. Because it’s been really fun so far.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 27, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; FOX commentator Tom Brady stands on the sideline before a game between the Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

NFL won’t punish Tom Brady for criticizing ejection

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Tom Brady will not be punished by the NFL after criticizing officials on Sunday during Fox’s broadcast of a game between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions.

Brady, a Fox Sports analyst, made the controversial comments when Detroit safety Brian Branch was ejected for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Green Bay wide receiver Bo Melton in the second quarter.

“I don’t love that (ejection) call at all,” Brady said. “Obviously it’s a penalty, but to me, there has to be serious intent in a game like this.”

Brady, as part owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, is not allowed to make certain comments during broadcasts, with criticism of officials being among the things that he can’t dive into.

However, the NFL announced Monday that there would be no consequences for Brady due to the tame nature of his critiques.

“The concern would be if Tom was egregiously critical of officiating or called into question the integrity of an official or the crew,” NFL chief spokesman Brian McCarthy told Sports Business Journal. “That did not occur in this instance.”

Brady purchased 5 percent of the Raiders in October, but some owners had been concerned that his analyst gig would lead to conflicts of interest. Because of that, the NFL deemed in August that the legendary quarterback was not allowed to criticize officials or other teams across the league.

–Field Level Media

Oct 6, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Fox color commentator Tom Brady before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

New part-owner Tom Brady visits Raiders’ facility

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New Las Vegas Raiders owner Tom Brady was greeted by cheers when he arrived at the team’s offices on Wednesday.

One day after the other team owners approved Brady’s bid to buy 10 percent of the Raiders, the former star quarterback arrived at the team’s facility accompanied by controlling owner Mark Davis.

In a video shared by the club on social media, team employees are seen surrounding the foyer, and they burst into applause as Brady walks in. Brady smiled broadly and applauded back.

The Raiders’ tweet read, “Welcome to the Silver & Black, @Tom Brady”

Brady and Knighthead Capital Management co-founder Tom Wagner each purchased 5 percent of the Raiders on Tuesday. Former defensive lineman Richard Seymour, who teamed with Brady to win three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and ended his career with the Raiders, bought 0.5 percent of the Las Vegas franchise.

Brady, 47, won a record seven Super Bowls, six with New England and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is the all-time NFL leader in most major passing statistics. He is in the first year of a 10-year, $375 million contract to serve as an NFL analyst for Fox Sports.

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces owner Mark Davis and part-owner Tom Brady talk before the game between the Las Vegas Aces and the New York Liberty during game one of the 2023 WNBA Finals at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images

Reports: Owners to discuss Tom Brady’s ownership bid next week

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After nearly a year and a half, Tom Brady may soon find out if he will become a member of the Las Vegas Raiders’ ownership group.

According to reports from Sports Business Journal and The Athletic on Wednesday, the NFL’s financial committee will discuss Brady’s bid to purchase a part of the Raiders on Tuesday at the NFL Fall League Meeting in Atlanta. A vote on whether to approve the bid reportedly could soon follow.

He would need at least 24 of the league’s 32 owners to vote in favor of his bid in order to gain approval.

Brady and Knighthead Capital Management co-founder Tom Wagner in May 2023 agreed to purchase 10 percent of the Raiders from majority owner Mark Davis. Two main issues reportedly have held up the approval:

–Owners feared Davis had given too big a discount to Brady and Wagner. The Washington Post on Saturday reported that the pair had since altered their offer to make it more the owners’ liking.

–With Brady in his first year of a 10-year, $375 million contract to be an analyst on Fox’s No. 1 broadcast team, owners worried about a part-owner of one franchise getting access and insight to the coaches, players and game plans of other teams. The league has limited Brady’s access relative to that afforded to other analysts, restricting him from accessing team’s facilities and practices as well as broadcast production meetings, which usually include meetings with coaches and players ahead of games.

Brady’s job as a broadcaster could also be impacted on-air should he be approved. According to ESPN in August, as an owner, Brady could not publicly criticize game officials and other clubs. Doing so at a level deemed excessive could result in a fine or suspension. He would also be subjected to anti-tampering policies, according to the report.

Should the bid not be voted upon next week, the next time a vote could take place would be at the NFL Special League Meeting from Dec. 10-11 in Irving, Texas.

–Field Level Media

NFL legend Tom Brady is all smiles before an NFL football game at Huntington Bank Field, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Report: Fox rebuffs Netflix request for Tom Brady on Christmas game

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Fox rejected a request from Netflix to have Tom Brady and Kevin Burkhardt call one of the two NFL games the streaming service will broadcast on Christmas, the New York Post reported Wednesday.

Brady and Burkhardt are in their first season as Fox Sports’ lead NFL broadcasting duo. Brady joined the booth this year as an analyst after an illustrious 23-year career as an NFL quarterback with the New England Patriots (2000-19) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020-22) before retiring in February 2023. He signed a reported 10-year, $375 million deal with Fox Sports.

The Post reported that Netflix is now eyeing CBS’s Ian Eagle and his son, NBC play-by-play man Noah Eagle, along with Fox analyst Greg Olsen and CBS talent Nate Burleson as potential fits.

Whether NBC and Fox would let Noah Eagle and Olsen, respectively, call a game for Netflix is unknown, per the Post. CBS, meanwhile, is a third-party affiliate of the streaming service.

Representatives for Netflix and CBS declined to comment, while Fox and NBC were not immediately available for comment, the Post reported.

Netflix, which has never aired an NFL game, is reportedly spending roughly $150 million to air this season’s Christmas doubleheader. The Kansas City Chiefs visit the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Houston Texans host the Baltimore Ravens.

–Field Level Media

Aug 24, 2024; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA; Former NFL player Tom Brady attends the match between the FC Cincinnati and the Inter Miami at Chase Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: NFL limits Tom Brady’s TV access due to Raiders role

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Becoming a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders could severely impact Tom Brady’s new role as Fox Sports’ lead NFL analyst.

According to reports Wednesday from ESPN and The Athletic, NFL owners discussed at their meetings in Minneapolis restrictions that would be put on the former star quarterback should his bid to buy 10 percent of the Raiders become finalized.

As part of a team’s ownership group, Brady would not be allowed to go to other teams’ facilities, watch practices or be involved in production meetings with other teams’ coaches and players (either in person or virtually).

In addition, he would not be permitted to criticize officials or teams, and he would be subject to the anti-gambling policies that is standard for all NFL personnel.

Brady’s bid to buy into the Raiders must be approved by 24 of the 32 NFL team owners. Brady previously bought a piece of the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces — another team controlled by Raiders majority owner Marc Davis.

Brady, 47, finished his stellar NFL career with the 2022 season, then took last year off. He is set to take over as Fox’s top analyst when the season kicks off next week, having signed a reported 10-year, $375 million deal with the network.

The first game in the booth for Brady will the Cleveland Browns’ home contest against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 8.

–Field Level Media

Dec 20, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) waves after defeating the Atlanta Falcons in a NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Netflix to air live roast of Tom Brady on May 5

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Tom Brady may need to dust off his helmet, shoulder pads and other protective equipment.

Netflix announced Monday that the seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback will be the guest of honor at a live and uncensored roast streaming from the Forum in Inglewood, Calif., on May 5 at 8 p.m. ET.

“The Greatest Roast of All-Time” will be hosted by actor and comedian Kevin Hart.

Netflix promised an “all-star lineup of surprise roasters,” who will be taking shots at the man many consider the NFL’s G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All-Time).

The company said it is the first time in history that a roast has aired live and unedited on television or streaming.

“No Helmets. No Mercy. No Brady Rule,” the streaming service posted in a video on X.

Brady, 46, told the “TODAY” show on Monday that he can handle the heat.

“I played in the NFL, so I’m not worried about a bunch of comedians, trust me,” Brady said.

A three-time league MVP and five-time Super Bowl MVP, Brady is the NFL’s all-time leader with 649 touchdown passes and 89,214 passing yards in 23 seasons for the New England Patriots (2000-19) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020-22).

–Field Level Media

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws the ball against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Dec. 25, 2022.

Tom Brady ‘not opposed’ to late-season return to NFL

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Tom Brady isn’t ruling back another comeback.

Brady, 46, said on a podcast appearance Thursday that he would consider joining an NFL team midseason if a starting quarterback goes down with injury, as Joe Flacco did with the Cleveland Browns last year.

Without prompting, Brady mentioned two teams by name — the New England Patriots, his old team, and the Las Vegas Raiders, whom he is aiming to become a minority owner. He pointed out an NBA analog, as Michael Jordan became a part owner of the Washington Wizards before coming out of retirement to play for Washington for two seasons.

“I’m not opposed to it,” Brady said on the “Deep Cut” podcast. “I don’t know if they are going to let me if I become an owner of an NFL team. I’m always going to be in good shape. I’ll always be able to throw the ball. So, to come in for a little bit, like (Jordan) coming back, I don’t know if they would let me. But I wouldn’t be opposed to it.”

Brady, who is also scheduled to begin working as a Fox Sports broadcaster this fall, reached an agreement in May 2023 to join the Raiders’ ownership group. The NFL has yet to complete its approval process.

Brady, who announced his retirement in February 2023, is regarded as the best quarterback of all time after winning six Super Bowls with the Patriots and a seventh with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while breaking virtually every NFL passing record.

He also retired on Feb. 1, 2022, but changed course just 40 days later, coming back for a third season with the Buccaneers.

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces owner Mark Davis and part-owner Tom Brady talk before the game between the Las Vegas Aces and the New York Liberty during game one of the 2023 WNBA Finals at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Tom Brady’s bid for stake in Raiders likely on hold

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Tom Brady’s attempt to own a piece of the Las Vegas Raiders is likely to be delayed with no vote expected at the annual NFL meeting next week, according to a Washington Post report.

The retired NFL great had hoped to be on track to approval by league owners by adjusting his bid for 10 percent of the team after the finance committee’s earlier concerns about a price below market value.

Brady initially came to an agreement with Raiders majority owner Mark Davis in May that would make the seven-time Super Bowl champion a minority owner of the NFL’s Las Vegas franchise with a 10 percent stake for a reported $175 million.

The Raiders were valued by Forbes at $6.2 billion in August.

There are concerns that Brady is receiving too much of a discount from what is generally accepted for limited partners, the Post reported. Some owners also see a possible conflict of interest in Brady being an owner while working his new job in the broadcast booth as Fox’s lead NFL analyst. He reportedly is under contract for 10 years and $375 million, beginning next season.

Brady, 46, who retired after the 2022 season after a stellar career with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, would be seeking access to other teams’ training facilities and practice fields as part of his preparations for Fox broadcasts.

He is partnering with Tom Wagner, the co-founder of Knighthead Capital Management, in the bid for a share of the Raiders.

The owners meeting is slated to begin Sunday in Orlando. The Raiders’ arrangement with Brady must be approved by at least 24 of the 32 league owners, who generally follow the finance committee’s recommendation.

The owners are meeting again in May in Nashville.

–Field Level Media