Former MLB executive David Samson has expressed his belief that Tom Brady will not return for a second year as an NFL analyst for FOX due to his commitments as the co-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.
The seven-time Super Bowl winner previously signed a mammoth $375 million agreement to become the network’s lead color commentator for the next ten years, starting his role this season. However, the former New England Patriots quarterback has received mixed reviews from viewers after turning his talents to broadcasting.
The 47-year-old’s role with the Raiders has meant that he has been bound to league rules in terms of post on FOX preventing him from attending in-person or online production meetings. In addition, Brady is not permitted to criticize game officials and other teams in his guise as an analyst on the network.
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Now, former Miami Marlins president Samson has opined that it will be impossible for the retired football icon to juggle his interests with the Raiders alongside his TV work next year. Speaking on “Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz”, he said: “Tom Brady is running that team right now – the NFL knows it and FOX knows it and something has got to give.
“So enjoy Tom in the booth because you’re not going to see him there next year. He will be in the Raiders front office, he will not return as an analyst for FOX – you cannot be this involved in the operation of a team and be the No 1 analyst. It’s an absolute insult to analysts what he’s doing. And it’s an insult to team president what he’s doing.
“You end up doing both of them in a mediocre way… and I promise you he will choose the Raiders,” the ex-MLB figure contended, as he predicted that Brady has some choices to make. “Tom Brady will not be with FOX next season, he’ll be full time in the Raiders front office running that team. Period.”
Tom Brady is a minority owner of the Raiders – but he also works for FOX Sports (
Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
This comes after The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand previously expressed doubts that Brady would see out his agreement with FOX, saying: “I’ve previously said I’d put down big money that Brady will not finish his 10-year, $375 million contract with Fox, given all his various business interests away from broadcasting, including ownership.
“That remains true. The safer prediction would be that Brady walks away from his Fox deal after three or four years. But I’m going bold and saying Brady gets deeper involved with the Las Vegas Raiders in the offseason and decides to go all in with NFL ownership and his production company by the start of the next NFL season.”
It has been a period of tumult for the Raiders in recent times, with Tom Telesco having been dismissed from his role as general manager. A statement from the team on the matter read: “The Las Vegas Raiders have relieved Tom Telesco of his duties as General Manager, we appreciate his efforts in helping build a foundation for the future. We wish Tom and his family all the best.”
Meanwhile, the Raiders also parted company with head coach Antonio Pierce, saying: “The Las Vegas Raiders have relieved Antonio Pierce of his duties as head coach. We appreciate Antonio’s leadership, first as an interim head coach and this past season as the head coach.”
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