ATLANTA — Tom Brady has one other new function within the NFL: proprietor.
The seven-time Tremendous Bowl champion bought a minority stake within the Las Vegas Raiders, a deal unanimously authorized by NFL crew homeowners on Tuesday on the league’s annual fall assembly.
In a prolonged assertion on X, Brady mentioned he was “extremely humbled and excited” to obtain approval.
“I’m desperate to contribute to the group in any approach I can, honoring the Raiders’ wealthy custom whereas discovering each doable alternative to enhance our providing to followers… and most significantly, WIN soccer video games,” Brady posted.
Brady additionally thanked Raiders majority proprietor Mark Davis, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and others.
“It’s an thrilling day for the Raider group,” Davis mentioned. “Though Tom can’t play, I feel he may also help us choose a quarterback sooner or later and probably practice him as nicely.”
Brady, who performed 23 seasons with the Patriots and Buccaneers, takes 5% management of the Raiders. He wanted to obtain 24 of 32 votes. The 47-year-old Brady can’t come of out retirement and play once more until he sells his stake within the crew.
“It’s nice that Tom Brady desires to put money into the NFL,” Goodell mentioned. “He cares deeply about this recreation. He believes in its future and I feel that’s only a sign of that.”
The deal was initially agreed upon in Could 2023, however it took homeowners 17 months to offer their approval over issues Brady was receiving an excessive amount of of a reduction from Davis. Brady’s new job as a broadcaster with Fox additionally was a difficulty as a result of it may signify a battle of curiosity.
“There have been numerous issues from a structural and due diligence standpoint that needed to occur, which is why it took so lengthy for it to be authorized and we lastly obtained all that put to mattress,” Chiefs proprietor Clark Hunt mentioned.
The NFL positioned restrictions on Brady earlier than the season to restrict his entry. He’s not permitted to attend manufacturing conferences in particular person or just about and will not have entry to crew services or gamers and training personnel. Brady might broadcast Raiders video games. He additionally has to abide by the league structure and bylaws that prohibit public criticism of officers and different golf equipment.
Brady additionally owns a minority stake within the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, who’re owned by Davis.
Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer Richard Seymour, who performed with Brady in New England, additionally obtained approval Tuesday to buy a minority stake within the Raiders.
“That is the mission of a lifetime, and I settle for it with each goal and delight,” Seymour posted on X. “With nice alternative comes nice accountability. And I pledge to be a worthy steward of our recreation—and all it makes doable.”
Brady and Seymour are the fifth and sixth former NFL gamers to grow to be homeowners after George Halas Sr., Jerry Richardson, Warrick Dunn and John Stallworth.
Davis joked that he didn’t like Brady very a lot when he was an opponent however he tried laborious to signal him as a free agent in 2020 earlier than the 15-time Professional Bowl QB went to Tampa Bay.
“We’re actually proud to have him as a part of the group,” Davis mentioned. “He’s a competitor, he’s a shiny younger man. There’s simply so many pluses for each side. It’s nice.”
The Raiders haven’t received a Tremendous Bowl since capturing their third title in eight years following the 1983 season. They received their first two championships in Oakland and the final one in Los Angeles.
They moved to Las Vegas in 2020 and haven’t received a playoff recreation since dropping the Tremendous Bowl to Tampa Bay on Jan. 26, 2003.
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