Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton addressed concerns surrounding Tom Brady’s unique position as both a part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and a Fox Sports broadcaster, stating that the situation “doesn’t concern me.” Payton spoke to reporters on Wednesday, acknowledging Brady’s minority ownership in a division opponent but noting that Brady primarily covers NFC games for Fox, which lessens the potential conflict of interest.
Payton explained, “I understand he’s part ownership with a division opponent. I get that. Then he covers games. He covers NFC games. That doesn’t trouble me.” The Broncos’ coach indicated that the scenario would be different if Brady were associated with CBS or focusing on AFC games that directly involve teams like Denver.
Brady’s dual roles have sparked discussion after he was seen wearing a headset in the Raiders’ coaching booth during a recent Monday Night Football broadcast—raising questions about his level of involvement with team strategy. However, Raiders head coach Pete Carroll has downplayed these concerns, stressing that while Brady does have conversations with coaches including offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, he is not actively planning plays or game strategy. Carroll described Brady’s involvement as more casual and collaborative rather than structured or strategic.
The NFL has also addressed the issue, stating there are no official regulations preventing a team owner from being in the coaches’ booth or using a headset during games, provided that league-approved equipment is used. The league emphasized that Brady remains barred from visiting team facilities for practices or production meetings in person, though he may participate remotely.
Despite the controversy, Payton’s remarks suggest that league insiders do not view Brady’s television role combined with Raiders ownership as a pressing conflict, especially since Brady’s broadcasting responsibilities focus on NFC games rather than AFC matchups that would directly involve Broncos or Raiders interests.
As NFL broadcasts increasingly feature cross-network rights with Fox and CBS airing Sunday afternoon games, Payton hinted at strategic adjustments when Broncos games are on Fox, suggesting his team might avoid premature exposure to Brady’s pregame presence, reminiscent of the guarded tactics used by his mentor Bill Parcells.
This ongoing situation reflects the complex nature of modern sports media and ownership roles, especially as high-profile figures like Brady pursue multifaceted careers in broadcasting and team management simultaneously. For now, Payton and many league officials appear to accept the setup as manageable, with clear boundaries and rules governing Brady’s participation both on the field and on television.