More details on Tom Brady ownership stake in the Las Vegas Raiders
Tom Brady is evolving from star quarterback to NFL owner in a matter of weeks since his retirement. But it’s still unclear how active he’ll be with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Other NFL owners need to approve Tom Brady’s purchase of a minority share of the Raiders. It takes 75 percent approval to add Brady to the mix. Mark Davis still will be majority owner of the team that’s been in his family for decades.
ProFootballTalk, while not giving specifics, quoted a source that said Brady will buy “more than a ceremonial sliver” of the Raiders. He’s already buying a portion of the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA. Coincidentally, Davis also is majority owner of the Aces, the defending WNBA champions.
Basically, Tom Brady is going into business with Mark Davis.
Davis confirmed that he was selling part of the team to Brady late last month. He released a statement to ESPN, saying:
“We have come to an agreement for Tom Brady to become a partner in the Raiders and we have submitted it to the NFL for approval. We’re excited for Tom to join the Raiders.” The NFL owners met last month in Minneapolis, but the Brady acquisition wasn’t on the agenda. Initial reports suggested that Brady’s involvement with the Raiers would be “passive.” And his ownership share would not give him any “operational control or authority over the club in business or football matters.”
So if you’re Tom Brady, why the Raiders? Well, there’s the comfort factor. He knows several key figures with the team. Coach Josh McDaniels used to be Brady’s offensive coordinator when both were with the New England Patriots. New Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is a friend of Brady’s and used to be his backup with the Patriots. And Vegas general manager Dave Ziegler used to be director of player personnel in New England. Brady also grew up in the Bay Area, so chances are he cheered for the Raiders when they were based in Oakland.
Mark Davis inherited the Raiders from his dad, Al Davis. The elder Davis, known for his saying “Just win, baby” took over as owner and general manager in 1972. And he maintained those titles until his death in 2011. He earned a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
Mark Davis bought the Aces two years ago. The team first was known as the Utah Starzz when the WNBA started in 1997. The team moved to Texas and became the San Antonio (Silver) Stars in 2003, then shifted to Vegas in 2018.
When news broke that Tom Brady was buying a stake with the Raiders, it ignited chatter about whether he could also play quarterback for the team as well. At least two outlets asked the league to clarify that it could be done. It all prompted Brady to issue a statement saying his days as an active player are over.
He told Sports Illustrated:
“I’m certain I’m not playing again. I tried to make that clear. I hate to continue to profess that because I’ve already told people that lots of times.
“Looking forward to my broadcasting job with Fox next year,” Brady said. “Looking forward to the opportunity I have with the Raiders, we’re in the process with that. …In my personal life (looking forward to) spending as much time with my kids as I can, seeing them grow up and supporting the different things they have going on. That’s a very important job and I take them all very seriously.”