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Tom Brady sighting during Raiders-Chargers game raised some red flags

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated Sep 16, 2025 9:13 AM ET

Tom Brady’s cameo appearance on the “Monday Night Football” Week 2 broadcast sounded the alarm bells among fans and media members alike.

Brady, a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders , was not in the broadcast booth as his team took on the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev. During the first quarter of the contest, ESPN panned the camera toward Brady as he sat amongst Raiders staffers in the coaches’ box.

Sideline reporter Peter Schrager shared during the segment that Brady goes over film with Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly “two to three times a week.”

ESPN's Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky, Louis Riddick, and Peter Schrager on Raiders minority owner and Fox analyst Tom Brady, who's in the coaches' box tonight. ️ #NFL #MNF pic.twitter.com/fb0SfCqZLy
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 16, 2025

The Brady sighting and accompanying report had several voices online complaining about a conflict of interest. As a FOX announcer, Brady is in close proximity to opposing coaches and players during games in which he’s on the call. Many felt like Brady’s access gives the Raiders an unfair advantage.

Tom Brady meets with Chip Kelly 2-3 times a week to go over film and go through the game plan.

And every weekend Brady is calling a game for Fox, gathering as much information as possible from players and coaches from both teams to be at his best in the broadcast booth. Got it.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) September 16, 2025

So, arguably the most competitive man in the history of football will be on the Cowboys @ Bears call in Week 3. He’ll be in production meetings Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams.

Who do the Bears play in Week 4? The Raiders. pic.twitter.com/EQwecDahgF
— Ruthie Polinsky (@ruthiepolinsky) September 16, 2025

Wait, Raiders owner Tom Brady is sitting in the coaching box with a headset & ESPN says he talks often during the week to O.C. Chip Kelly??? How can the NFL allow Brady to even remotely interview players/coaches of other teams as part of his Fox prep? This is just wrong.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) September 16, 2025

Tom Brady being in the coaching booth feels like an insane conflict of interest.

This is the same guy that is allowed access to interview opposing teams when he works on the broadcast team for FOX.
— Anthony DiBona (@DiBonaNFL) September 16, 2025

The inherent conflict of interest in Brady’s ownership stake alongside his FOX announcing gig was not lost on the NFL. The league has safeguards in place to prevent Brady from attending certain production and staff meetings that would grant him access other owners would never receive.

It’s easy to assure teams of the Brady-centered restrictions in theory. But it’s hard to imagine a larger-than-life figure such as Brady being unable to skirt the rules now and then.

The seven-time Super Bowl champ will be in the booth for the Week 3 game between the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears. Brady’s Raiders conveniently play the Bears the following week.

However, there’s only so much Brady can do to help Las Vegas. He could only watch on Monday as Geno Smith put up a stinker in the Raiders’ 20-9 loss to the Chargers.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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