Tom Brady at a football game isn’t a particularly unusual sight.
The legendary signal-caller spent 23 years in the NFL. He famously quarterbacked the New England Patriots for two decades before punctuating his playing days with a three-year stint under center for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
With that in mind, it’s no surprise that Brady has maintained a presence within the game after retiring. He showed up at New England’s season opener to see his jersey be retired. He’ll also be joining Fox Sports’ NFL coverage team in Fall 2024.
None of this is particularly unusual from an outside perspective. Brady could obviously be described as something of a football junkie, so few likely foresaw him quitting the game cold turkey.
Even Brady showing up on the sidelines for a game isn’t necessarily a stunning development. But most would expect him to show up in New England or Tampa Bay.
Which begs the question…
Why Is Tom Brady on the Sidelines for the Raiders?
Brady didn’t have any known association with the Las Vegas Raiders during his playing career, aside from when they were on the opposite sideline. He vanquished the then-Oakland Raiders in the infamous “tuck rule” game for the first of his 35 career playoff victories. Overall, Brady got the better of the Raiders in six out of seven career meetings.
But in the present day, he’s trying to help the Raiders get better from within. Or at least he should be soon. For the unaware, Brady accepted an offer to purchase a minority ownership stake in the Raiders earlier this year. The Bay Area native spoke to the Associated Press about what the opportunity meant to him.
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“I grew up in the Bay Area. My favorite team was the 49ers. The team across the bay was the Raiders. And, you know, they’re an iconic NFL franchise. When I look at a lot of the people that have impacted the NFL over a long period of time in the most positive way, (former Raiders owner and GM) Al Davis is one of them.”
“And he’s not with us anymore, but I’ve heard incredible stories. And then the opportunity came about to become a minority owner in the Raiders; it was a dream come true for me.”
Now, Brady’s not yet integrated into this new ownership position. League owners need to approve the transaction via vote, and there’s a hang-up regarding the price tag presented to Brady.
Evidently, the seven-time Super Bowl winner was presented with a handsome discount, and some of the owners are pushing for him to pay an amount commensurate with the return he’s getting.
But Brady’s continued presence around the team, including on the sidelines this weekend when the Raiders play host to the New York Jets on Sunday Night Football, suggests both sides intend on getting this deal completed sooner than later.
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