Former Raiders head coach addresses Tom Brady conflict of interest issue

Antonio Pierce was serving as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders last fall when current Fox analyst Tom Brady was approved as a minority owner of the franchise. 

Thus, Pierce has a unique perspective regarding whether or not Brady being able to virtually participate in production meetings with players and coaches and speak with players and coaches on the field ahead of a game gives the Raiders any type of unfair advantage. 

What about Tom Brady situation would make Antonio Pierce "uncomfortable"

"I think I would be uncomfortable if it was the other way around, to be honest with you," Pierce said during a recent appearance on SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "Because you’re not dealing with just a normal person. Tom Brady is the elite of the elite, one of the greatest quarterbacks, one of the greatest players in the game...student of the game. It’s not hard for him to watch a few things on a Friday practice or hear things in a production meeting and be like, 'Hmm,' and have tidbits. And you’d be foolish enough to think that he’s not gonna share that with the Raiders because we had those conversations about certain things."

It's worth noting that Brady allegedly had a significant role in the Raiders parting ways with Pierce following the 2024 season. Brady reportedly was also involved in the Raiders' hiring of general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll. 

Spytek and Brady were teammates at Michigan.

Antonio Pierce not buying what some are selling about Tom Brady, Fox situation

On Wednesday, multiple head coaches of teams that will face the Raiders this season insisted they have no problem with Brady taking part in Fox production meetings ahead of games he will call for the network. Pierce seemingly isn't buying what those coaches were trying to sell. 

"I think everybody’s gonna give you the political answer and say, 'Oh, it’s no big deal,'" Pierce said. "I’m calling BS on that because if me and you was to call the game, they’ll be secretive with us. Now you got a guy who’s a minority owner, a great player, you know he understands the game, you know he sees the game. He has obviously an interest in the Raiders. So I just think it’s unprecedented. We haven’t seen it."

Pierce acknowledged during the interview that being fired this past January following a 4-13 campaign "was one of [Brady's] calls." Brady reportedly wanted to hire former New England Patriots teammate Mike Vrabel before Vrabel informed TB12 he would be taking the New England job. Ben Johnson was also heavily linked with the Raiders but ultimately became head coach of the Chicago Bears.