Owners approve Tom Brady’s bid to buy minority stake in Raiders

“Throughout my NFL career, I have learned that, at its core, football is a game of teamwork, resilience and a relentless pursuit of excellence,” Brady said in a comment posted on X. “The “Raiders franchise and the city of Las Vegas embodies these same values ​​and I am honored to be a part of that history.”

Brady thanked Raiders owner Mark Davis for “welcoming me into his family and the tireless work he has done to help build the organization so many fans know and love today.”

“Tom is someone that for many years I didn’t really like,” Davis told reporters after Tuesday’s league conferences concluded, referencing the notorious Tuck Rule controversy in 2002. “He admitted it was a fumble. So those are important aspects of the situation. We are very proud to have him as a partner. He is a brilliant young man.

“Even though Tom can’t play, I think he can help us draft a quarterback in the future and probably coach the same way.”

In fact, Brady in his statement said he is “desperate to make a contribution to the team in whatever capacity he does, honoring the Raiders’ lavish custom hour to uncover every opportunity imaginable to strengthen our offering to fans…and do so.” most importantly, WIN football.” Video games.”

Davis declined to provide details about Brady’s role with the Raiders, out of respect for Brady’s work as a broadcaster for Fox. Davis said one of the sticking points in the 17-month process was Brady’s dual role as broadcaster and potential equipment owner.

While Brady’s offer was pending, the league placed a series of restrictions on him as a broadcaster that he has followed since he began working for Fox. Brady is prohibited from attending weekly production meetings with players and coaches on the games he will cover, not may be at another team’s facility and cannot watch practices. Those restrictions will continue.

“I feel like a group of owners around the league felt that it was once a potential battle,” said Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, who chairs the finance committee that raised the conflict of interest with Brady’s ownership. . “It is difficult to know whether or not it will be an intact battle, however, it may be a possible battle or a perceived battle.”

“Tom has been enthusiastically addressing the issues we raised with the committee since he began broadcasting,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “So that everything is resolved.”

Davis said he understands the concerns because his father, Al Davis, was known for protecting all Raiders information.

“We’re paranoid, that’s what we are within the Raiders,” Davis said. “I know the coaches and the quarterbacks want to talk to him. They’re not going to tell him the general story, nor are they going to give the guys the general story. When they talk, they’re telling you what they’d like you to know.” will listen to the alternative team”.

The Dallas Cowboys, who have had Brady’s broadcast team on Fox four times this season, are one of the teams that would prefer Brady to be in production meetings during the week.

Cowboys communications executive Tad Carper told ESPN that he has informed Fox producers, as well as the league office, that Cowboys coaches want Brady to be in production meetings so that can have the full context to explain his decision-making in the games to the Fox audience. .

Another obstacle in Brady’s path to Raiders ownership was the possibility of resuming his playing career. In July 2023, the owners voted to prohibit employees who are not family members from owning stock in a team, meaning Brady would have to sell his stake in the Raiders in order to play for another team.

Goodell downplayed the 17 months it took Brady to be approved as a minority partner of the Raiders.

“Possession transactions take up a long day,” he said.

Hunt added: “There were a lot of things from a construction and due diligence standpoint that needed to happen, so it took a bye for it to be approved. Of course, they gave us all that and we’re happy to close the deal. transaction. I know the finance committee is happy not to talk about it anymore.”

Goodell hopes the newly approved ownership of Brady and Raiders Hall of Famer Richard Seymour will inspire other former players to explore the property.

“I feel like there are a lot of hobbies,” Goodell said. “And I have inspired them… There are others who will probably commit to being up and running within the same hour.

“I think they bring a lot to the property. I love, not just the diversity, but the diversity of thought, in the context of what’s good for the game. What can we do better? How do we improve? How do we get better? “How can we continue to expand our goal everywhere?”

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