Conversations about Tom Brady’s perceived conflict of interest reignited after Monday night.
ESPN showed the Las Vegas Raiders minority owner wearing a headset inside the coaches’ box during a Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Sideline reporter Peter Schrager disclosed that Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly said he speaks to Brady two or three times a week to review film and game plans.
That sparked renewed debate over whether the New England Patriots icon could gain a competitive advantage for the Raiders through his other prominent role as a FOX broadcaster. Fans reportedly aren’t the only ones asking that question.
According to the Washington Post’s Mark Maske, Ben Strauss and Tashan Reed, a high-ranking official on another NFL team said the league dismissed their concerns over the situation.
Several owners questioned the conflict before voting unanimously to approve Brady’s purchase last year.
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“I’d say everyone noticed that,” an NFL official said of Brady’s presence in the Raiders’ booth. “And if you already had concerns, that did not exactly alleviate them.”
The NFL released a statement on Tuesday confirming that Brady did not violate any rules by sitting in the coaches’ box. Although he’s now permitted to attend FOX production meetings, Brady still can’t visit another team’s facility or practice.
“There are no policies that prohibit an owner from sitting in the coaches’ booth or wearing a headset during a game,” the league said. “Brady was sitting in the booth in his capacity as a limited partner.”
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Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said after the game that Kelly meeting with Brady regularly is “not accurate.” He seemed to dispute the notion of Brady’s involvement in formal game-plan meetings but acknowledged that he and Kelly talk to the seven-time Super Bowl champion often.
Discussion of Brady juggling his ownership and commentary roles has intensified just as both are set to align. He’ll work a Week 3 matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears before the Raiders face the Bears in Week 4.
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