Tom Brady drew ire from fans on Monday night as the minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders appeared in his team’s coaching booth during a home loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Brady, who joined the Raiders’ ownership group last October, was spotted on ESPN’s telecast wearing a headset in the coaching booth. According to the ESPN broadcast, the future Hall of Famer discusses game film and goes over the gameplan with Las Vegas offensive coordinator Chip Kelly every week.
Brady made his Fox debut as an analyst last season on a 10-year, $375m contract. Under looser restrictions than last season, Brady can now attend production meetings with teams and players as part of his broadcast duties with Fox, though he must participate in those discussions remotely. He still can’t attend practices held at team facilities.
Raiders head coach Pete Carroll told ESPN that reports of Kelly’s meeting with Brady were “not accurate”.
“We have conversations,” Carroll said after Monday night’s game. “I talk to Tom, Chip talks to Tom regularly. We have a tremendous asset. And we all get along and respect each other. We just talk about life and football. He has great insight, so we’re lucky to have him as an owner.”
Many have argued that Brady’s access as a broadcaster gives the Raiders an unfair advantage, particularly when he is calling games for Fox involving teams that Las Vegas will face later in the season. Fans posted on social media during the game, calling it a conflict of interest and questioning the fairness of giving Brady access to future opponents.
On Tuesday, the NFL said Brady had not violated any rules by sitting in the coaching booth, adding that wearing a headset to listen in on team communication during the game is also above board.
“There are no policies that prohibit an owner from sitting in the coaches’ booth or wearing a headset during a game,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said. “Brady was sitting in the booth in his capacity as a limited partner. All personnel sitting in the booth must abide by policies that prohibit the use of electronic devices other than league-issued equipment such as a Microsoft Surface Tablet for the Sideline Viewing System.”
The seven-time Super Bowl winner will be on the broadcast team on Sunday when the Dallas Cowboys face the Chicago Bears, whom the Raiders play the following week.
This past weekend, Brady was in Kansas City to broadcast the Super Bowl rematch between the Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles; both teams are also on the Raiders’ schedule this season.
In Week 1, Brady was part of Fox’s broadcast of the New York Giants’ game against the Washington Commanders, who will host the Raiders on Sunday.
“Tom continues to be prohibited from going to a team facility for practices or production meetings,” McCarthy said on Tuesday. “He may attend production meetings remotely but may not attend in person at the team facility or hotel. He may also conduct an interview off site with a player like he did last year a couple times, including for the Super Bowl. Of course, as with any production meeting with broadcast teams, it’s up to the club, coach or players to determine what they say in those sessions.”
Las Vegas lost 20-9 to the Chargers on Monday.
