TV networks preparing record-setting offers for Tom Brady?

Tom Brady is not going to play football in 2022, but he will have plenty to keep him busy. In addition to spending time with his family, Brady can now focus on his fitness brand, production company, clothing line and more. Should he decide he is interested in television, the seven-time Super Bowl champion will be in position to set another record.

Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports reports that TV networks have already been reaching out to Brady’s agents. The 44-year-old has received interest from FOX Sports as rumors swirl that Troy Aikman could leave the network for Amazon’s “Thursday Night Football” package. ESPN and Amazon are also expected to speak with Brady’s camp.

Tony Romo is currently the highest-paid announcer in sports media with an annual salary of $18 million. One industry source told McCarthy that offers for Brady would “blow Romo’s out of the water.”

“Brady would be worth his weight in gold. The opening bid would be $20 million a year — and it could go as high as $25 million,” the source said. “That would be for either games or the studio. There’s no way in hell Brady would make less than Romo.”

Brady currently has a production deal with ESPN+, which has been airing his “Man in the Arena” documentary series. ESPN also has Peyton and Eli Manning under contract, so it’s fair to wonder if the network could afford to add Brady. Former NFL Network executive producer Eric Weinberger speculated that ESPN’s parent company Disney could try to offer Brady some sort of multi-platform content deal.

Brady will have an opportunity to do pretty much whatever he wants in retirement. He’s one of the most accomplished athletes of all time and a global icon. It seems unlikely that he will rush into TV — if he ever works in that field at all.