OAN Staff Blake Wolf
2:22 PM – Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Retired seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady recently announced that he purchased a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday in a deal unanimously approved by NFL team owners.
Brady took to X (Twitter) to announce the new acquisition.
“I’m incredibly humbled and excited to have been unanimously approved as an owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. Throughout my NFL career. I’ve learned that at its core, football is a game of teamwork, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The Raiders franchise, and the city of Las Vegas embody these same values, and I’m honored to become part of that story,” Brady wrote.
“Football has been part of my entire life growing up in the Bay Area and in so many ways, my football life and journey has come full circle. I love the sport, I love my teammates, coaches, and the fans in every organization I’ve been part of. Sports brings us together in a way nothing else can. I grew up on the field, and it’s a blessing to know I’ll be involved in the greatest league in the world for the rest of my life,” Brady continued.
The Raiders’ controlling owner and managing general partner, Mark Davis, did not reveal specific details regarding Brady’s role with the team, but rather, he recounted Brady’s time in the league.
“Tom is somebody that for many years I didn’t like very much,” Davis stated, following Tuesday’s league meetings.
Davis was referencing the controversial 2002 Tuck Rule game, which benefitted Brady’s Patriots team at the expense of Davis’ Raiders.
“He did admit that it was a fumble. So those are important aspects of the situation. We’re just really proud to have him as a partner. He’s a competitor. He’s a bright young man,” Davis continued.
“Although Tom can’t play, I think he can help us select a quarterback in the future and potential train as well,” Davis added.
Additionally, Brady thanked Davis for the warm welcome and he expressed an eagerness to contribute to the struggling franchise.
“I’d like to thank Mark Davis for welcoming me into his family, and the tireless work he’s done to help build on the organization that so many fans know and love today,” Brady stated.
“I’m eager to contribute to the organization in any way I can, honoring the Raiders’ rich tradition while finding every possible opportunity to improve our offering to fans… and most importantly, WIN football games,” he added.
The deal, which was reportedly initially agreed upon in May of 2023, was delayed due to league owners believing Brady received too large of a discount from Davis, as well as Brady’s current broadcasting role with Fox, which could present a conflict of interest.
“There were a lot of things from a structural and due diligence standpoint that had to happen, which is why it took so long for it to be approved and we finally got all that put to bed and are glad to get the transaction closed,” stated Chiefs owner Clark Hunt.
As Brady’s acquisition was pending, the NFL placed restrictions upon him, barring Brady from attending production meetings with players and coaches in the games he covers. Additionally, Brady cannot be in another team’s facilities and he cannot watch practices.
“I think a lot of owners around the league felt that was a potential conflict,” Hunt continued, referencing Brady’s role as a broadcaster and league owner. “It’s hard to know whether it will be an actual conflict, but it can be a potential conflict or perceived conflict.”
“Tom’s been abiding by the issues that we raised through the committee voluntarily since he began broadcasting,” stated NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. “So that’s all been resolved.”
The Raiders have not seen a superbowl win since 1983, when they won their third Super Bowl in franchise history. The Raiders have also not been able to win a playoff game since the 2003 season, when they lost in the Super Bowl to Jon Gruden’s Buccaneers team.
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