Reporter perceives 'clear conflict of interest' with Tom Brady and Raiders

Tom Brady potentially becoming a limited partner of the Las Vegas Raiders may not be as well-received by all within the NFL as some first might have thought. 

Part of Friday's report from ESPN's Seth Wickersham and Adam Schefter regarding Brady's possible involvement with the Raiders noted that Fox "has 'blessed' the arrangement" even with the expectation that Brady will eventually become the network's lead NFL analyst via a 10-year deal reportedly worth $375M. 

"Sources said that league policy about team ownership overlapping with media employment comes into play only if the owner holds a position of authority at the media company and could impact broadcast rights negotiations," ESPN's report explained. 

However, league insider Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has since relayed that some owners and executives would see Brady calling games for Fox while serving as a limited partner with an NFL franchise a "clear conflict of interest," despite the fact the network doesn't feature many Las Vegas games in any given season. 

"Brady eventually will broadcast games involving teams with which the Raiders compete," Florio wrote. "Regardless of whether Fox is willing to let Brady do whatever he wants to do when it comes to working for Fox while also partially owning a team, why would any other AFC team (especially an AFC West team) invite Brady to practice or give him access to players and coaches given that he’s an owner of the Raiders?" 

Florio added that Brady would obtain "access to plenty of inside information" from around the NFL thanks to typical meetings and conversations that occur before every broadcast and that mostly go ignored by casual fans. Theoretically, nothing would stop Brady -- the limited partner -- from sharing such knowledge with individuals associated with the Raiders. 

Plenty of people throughout the NFL community have, at the very least, suggested Brady will have second thoughts about ever working for Fox following his "gap year" away from the NFL. If even one owner pushes back against the legendary quarterback having ongoing relationships with both the Raiders and Fox in 2024, the seven-time Super Bowl champion may have to make a decision about his future plans as soon as next spring.