Tom Brady appeared to break NFL rules as the Las Vegas Raiders minority owner criticized the decision to eject the Detroit Lions‘ Brian Branch against the Green Bay Packers.

Back in May 2023, Brady submitted his bid to become a minority owner of the Raiders franchise. The seven-time Super Bowl champion – who already owned a piece of the WNBA‘s Las Vegas Aces – was eventually confirmed as an owner during the Fall League Meeting last month.

As Brady was approved to become a Raiders minority owner, he would also have to abide by additional NFL policies in place for owners. This means the FOX Sports commentator is somewhat hamstrung when in the booth.

Brady is in the first season of a 10-year deal worth $375 million he signed with FOX back in 2022. He is currently working with play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt on the network’s top NFL broadcasting team, but his role is complicated by his Raiders venture.

As he is an owner of an NFL franchise, Brady is unable to publicly criticize officials and other teams, with fines or suspensions in place if the league deems he breaks the policy. He certainly appeared to cross the line on Sunday’s broadcast of the Lions’ visit to Lambeau Field to face the Packers.

In the second quarter, Detroit’s Branch was penalized for a hit to the head area of Green Bay’s Bo Melton. The hit was inarguably brutal, and was a certain penalty – but the officiating crew in Wisconsin opted to eject the Lions’ second-year safety following a review in New York, which Brady questioned.

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Tom Brady disagreed with the decision to eject Brian Branch, although he acknowledged the hit was illegal

Tom Brady disagreed with the decision to eject Brian Branch, although he acknowledged the hit was illegal ( 

Image:

Getty Images)

“I don’t love that call at all,” Brady said. “I mean, obviously, it’s a penalty, but, to me, that has to be serious intent in a game like this.”

Brady agreed with the penalty but refused to endorse the decision to eject Branch from the contest. The NFL legend is attempting to disagree with a call without explicitly criticizing an official, instead managing to voice his frustration over the ejection decision without aiming at any particular official.

Regardless, Brady is still walking a tightrope – and more close calls will follow as he engages in his commentary career as a minority owner. Brady is in a unique space; he’s a former player, a partial owner, and a commentator, and he must juggle the responsibilities of each role as he moves forward. Fans will be eagerly waiting for him to slip up, as he nearly did on Sunday.