The Las Vegas Raiders are entering one of the most pivotal offseasons in the franchise history, and once again, Tom Brady is at the center of NFL conversation. This time, however, it’s on his dual role as the Raiders minority owner and Fox Sports’ lead NFL broadcaster.
As part of The Athletic’s annual anonymous NFL player survey, players across the league were asked whether Brady should be allowed to serve in both capacities simultaneously. From the Raiders’ perspective, the results offered a strong endorsement, not just of Brady himself, but of the organization’s direction under his growing influence.
NFL Players Largely Support Tom Brady’s Role With the Raiders
According to the survey, 84.2% of NFL players said they are OK with Brady being both an owner and a broadcaster, while only 6.6% opposed the idea.
Don’t worry, the math isn’t wrong.
Another 9.2% said they didn’t know or didn’t care. For the Raiders, that overwhelming approval matters.
Much of the support stems from Brady’s standing within the league. Players repeatedly referenced his credibility, legacy, and respect earned over two decades as the most accomplished quarterback in NFL history.
“I feel like he’s earned the right to do that,” said an AFC defensive player. “He’s respected by a lot of people, with him being one of the greatest to play the game.”
“He’s the G.O.A.T,” one NFC offensive player added. “Only G.O.A.T’s can do that type of stuff.”
Others had a more unique take on Brady’s dual role.
“If he’s getting information and sharing it with the Raiders, so what?” Another AFC defensive player said. “They sucked anyway.”
“The Raiders f—ing suck,” an NFC defensive veteran said. “How is it helping with that? What are we talking about?”
They aren’t wrong in that sense, but despite the overwhelming support, there are still some players who don’t approve of Brady splitting time between the owner’s box and the broadcast booth.
Concerns Still Exist, But Overwhelmed by Support
Even if these concerns are in the small minority, it’s still important to understand their viewpoints.
“It’s just a conflict of interest,” said an AFC defensive player. “Even if Tom is being careful, the optics are not good and it could create an ugly situation down the road.”
It’s true that Brady’s dual role can create potential discomfort in production meetings and could turn into a bigger problem down the road, but even among those who don’t agree, there was an acknowledgement of Brady’s football acumen.
“But also, he’s Tom Brady,” one NFC offensive player who voted no said. “He could just watch film and (get) the answers.”
Ultimately, the survey results suggest that, across the league, players are far more comfortable with Brady’s situation than the online debate might suggest. And for the Raiders, that approval validates their belief that bringing Brady into the ownership group isn’t about gaining an unfair advantage, but setting a new standard with his leadership.
As Las Vegas looks ahead to a critical draft and a new chapter, having the support of players across the NFL is a meaningful win, and one that underscores why Brady’s presence matters.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post NFL Players Weigh In on Tom Brady’s Role with Raiders, Broadcasting appeared first on Heavy Sports.
