For months, countless media members have questioned whether Tom Brady’s responsibilities as both a Fox NFL analyst and a part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders is a significant conflict of interest. And that question became even more complicated after the Raiders parted ways with head coach Antonio Pierce.
Shortly following Pierce’s firing, it was reported by multiple NFL insiders that Brady would be “heavily involved” in the Raiders’ search for Pierce’s replacement.
With this in mind, it’s fair to question whether Brady was perhaps a driving force in Pierce’s firing. Or at the very least was well aware that Pierce was on his way out.
David Samson, a former MLB general manager turned sports media personality, understands the intricacies of both a front office role and a media role quite well.
During an appearance on The Dan Le Batard Show on Wednesday, Samson shared his opinion that Brady is “running the team” in Las Vegas, which he believes will ultimately lead to the seven-time Super Bowl champion stepping back from his responsibilities at Fox.
“The whole Antonio Pierce thing I take issue with,” said Samson. “He was fired before they let him do his postseason press conference. And there was no reason. What, they couldn’t get to him? They couldn’t find him? They couldn’t reach him? It’s very embarrassing. And then they leak out that Tom Brady is going to be very involved in the search for the new coach.
“Guess what, Tom Brady is running that team right now. And the NFL knows it. And Fox knows it. Something has got to give. So enjoy Tom in the booth because you are not going to see him next year. He will be in the Raiders front office. He will not return as an analyst for Fox. You cannot be this involved in the operation of a team and be the No. 1 analyst. It is an absolute insult to analysts what he is doing. And it’s an insult to team presidents what he is doing. You end up doing both of them in a mediocre way. I promise you, he will choose the Raiders. Tom Brady will not be with Fox next season. He will be full-time in the Raiders front officer running that team.”
Thus far, Fox hasn’t appeared to share much buyer’s remorse when it comes to their 10-year $375 million contract with Brady. Even if his short tenure as a broadcaster has been highly scrutinized.
But having him as their No. 1 color analyst has been complicated for Fox given the restrictions the league placed on what Brady is allowed to do as a broadcaster when it comes to his communication with teams around the league.
Samson isn’t the only sports media pundit to share the opinion that Brady isn’t long for broadcasting. Richard Deitsch and Dan Patrick are among the names of people who also believe Brady may be done as a broadcaster after just one year.
Only time will tell whether this ends up being the case. But in the meantime, all eyes will be on Brady during his first-ever postseason assignment on Sunday between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers on Fox.