The severe limitations immediately placed on potential Raiders owner Tom Brady in his role as a Fox broadcaster were not meant to be a form of punishment, but rather a clear message being sent by the NFL.
The league’s decisive statement that Brady is not allowed to visit team facilities, be present at practices, or take part in production meetings serves as a warning sign. When the time comes to vote on his attempt to acquire 10.4 percent of the Raiders alongside Hall of Famer Richard Seymour and their shared partners, it is likely that at least nine owners will reject his bid.
But why would they do so? The restrictions imposed on Brady directly impact one of the most important Fox broadcasts of the week. The NFL has a vested interest in ensuring that the broadcasts are of the highest quality possible. Commissioner Roger Goodell previously cited issues with the production and airing of games as the reason for the league’s exit from the Thursday Night Football business.
Can Brady meet the NFL’s standards without access to team facilities? Perhaps. However, his performance would undoubtedly benefit from having that access.
Through these restrictions, the league is essentially urging Brady to make the right decision on his own. If he does not, they will ultimately make the decision for him.
It only takes a minimum of nine owners to make a significant impact. If the majority of the 32 owners are willing to make Fox and Brady’s broadcasting tasks more difficult each week, at least nine of them will opt to eliminate the issue altogether by preventing Brady from becoming a part of the ownership group.
