Tom Brady’s journey into NFL ownership officially began this week after league owners unanimously approved his bid to acquire a stake in the Las Vegas Raiders. At the NFL’s fall meeting in Atlanta, Brady’s offer, which he developed with his business partner Tom Wagner, gained final approval, giving him roughly a 10% ownership interest in the Raiders.
Expressing his excitement, Brady said, “I’m incredibly humbled and excited to have been unanimously approved as an owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.” He highlighted the values of teamwork and resilience, noting that the Raiders’ culture aligns well with his own. Brady’s involvement with the franchise started back in May 2023, although the final vote was delayed due to questions around the financial terms of his stake and whether he had received especially favorable conditions given the team’s increasing value. However, with the league’s finance committee endorsing the agreement, Tuesday’s vote served as the concluding step in the process.
It was a notable day for the Raiders organization, as team owner Mark Davis also completed a trade, sending star receiver Davante Adams to the New York Jets in exchange for a third-round draft pick. Commenting on Brady’s potential impact, Davis remarked, “We traded Davante Adams for Tom Brady and a third-round pick. Although Tom can’t play, he can help us select a quarterback in the future and potentially mentor him, which will benefit the organization.”
In addition to Brady, another former NFL star, Pro Football Hall of Famer Richard Seymour, also invested in the Raiders, becoming part of the ownership group. Seymour expressed pride in his role, saying, “I embrace this opportunity with a sense of pride and purpose. My commitment goes beyond the numbers.” Davis reflected on the importance of the new partnerships, adding that Seymour’s connection with his late father, Raiders legend Al Davis, brought additional significance to the move.
This partnership with the Raiders marks Brady’s second investment in a sports team owned by Davis, following his purchase of a stake in the Las Vegas Aces, the city’s WNBA team, earlier in 2023. At 47, Brady, who retired after the 2022 NFL season, remains active in the football world, having also signed on as Fox’s lead in-game analyst.
However, Brady faces some limitations in his new ownership role. Restrictions bar him from attending practices, participating in production meetings, or visiting other team facilities. Additionally, he is not permitted to criticize officials while on air.
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