There’s a lot to be said for building strong relationships and rapport with teammates, and for Fox sideline reporter Erin Andrews, that connection has come naturally with Tom Brady, the NFL legend turned broadcast booth analyst. After signing a massive 10-year, $375 million contract with Fox in 2022, Brady joined the network as their lead analyst.
Though the transition from the football field to the commentary booth hasn’t been without its challenges for Brady, his growth as a broadcaster has been evident throughout the season.
Brady made his on-air debut on September 9, calling the Cowboys’ 33-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns. While his early performances showed some initial nerves and adjustment, Brady has steadily become more comfortable, offering deeper insights into the game as the weeks progress.
Along the way, he’s had the support of his colleagues, including Andrews, who has been a fixture on the Fox Sports crew since leaving ESPN in 2012.
In a recent interview with SportsCasting.com, Andrews reflected on what it’s been like to welcome Brady into the Fox team, a crew that already shared strong bonds and friendships. “Some of my best friends work on that crew,” she explained. “We are super tight. Kevin Burkhardt and myself, we have a very close relationship. We’re both based in Los Angeles, so we travel together and go home together. There’s a lot of bonding that happens on the road.”
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For Andrews, who has covered countless NFL games and developed close-knit relationships with her fellow broadcasters, integrating Brady into their dynamic has been a natural process, but not without some playful adjustments. “Tom (Brady) is new this year. Although I’ve known him off the field for many years, it’s about trying to integrate him into our family and our friendships—because we very much are like a family in our crew. We all make fun of each other, we can all take it, and we all throw a punch back. It’s a good time.”
Andrews has interviewed Brady numerous times throughout his storied career with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he won an incredible seven Super Bowl titles. Their long history of working together has helped make the transition smoother, as Brady steps into his new role. Their shared familiarity and easygoing relationship have allowed Andrews to engage with Brady in a way that feels comfortable and fun.
“I have a good time with T.B. just because I’ve known him for a while off the field, so I can kind of poke fun at him, throw some jabs, where maybe some of my teammates are trying to go easy on him in the beginning,” Andrews said, laughing. “But now we’re all starting to get really comfortable. It’s all about creating chemistry within the team and building that as we go along.”
The camaraderie that Andrews and Brady have developed is an essential part of what makes Fox Sports’ coverage feel authentic and engaging. Their banter, along with the shared experiences of the entire broadcast crew, helps to create a sense of teamwork that translates to viewers at home. As the season progresses, the chemistry between Brady, Andrews, and the rest of the Fox team will continue to grow, making for a more seamless and entertaining broadcast experience.
For Brady, the transition to broadcasting is still in its early stages, but with the support of seasoned professionals like Andrews, he’s finding his rhythm and voice. As he becomes more confident in the booth, his insights and personality are starting to shine, showing that he’s more than just a football icon—he’s becoming a valuable addition to the broadcast team.
As the NFL season continues, fans can expect to see even more memorable moments between Brady, Andrews, and the rest of the Fox Sports crew, as their rapport continues to build both on and off the air.
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