Most minority owners have minimal involvement in the team. Tom Brady is not most minority owners.
Controlling owner Mark Davis told reporters on Wednesday that Brady will have a “huge” impact on the Raiders, in time. For now, Brady is focused on his $37.5 million per year Fox gig.
“Obviously, them having the Super Bowl gives them an extra two weeks where he’s going to be tied to Fox,” Davis told reporters, via A.J. Perez of FrontOfficeSports.com.
For now, Brady’s role is sporadic.
“He communicates quite often, but it’s not a day-to-day role,” Davis said. “His role is undefined right now.”
Davis said that, once the Super Bowl comes and goes, Brady will help the Raiders find their next quarterback. Before that, Brady surely will help Davis decide whether to keep coach Antonio Pierce and, if not, who to replace him with (Mike Vrabel).
“He’s competitive and he’s very thorough in everything he does,” Davis said regarding Brady. “He has an innate way of communicating that other people can understand. I am excited and really grateful that he’s part of the Raiders organization.”
Brady’s plan to be heavily involved with the Raiders underscores the conflict of interest inherent to an owner being a broadcaster. And it’s not about whether Brady would act honorably, as some Brady apologists have insisted. The conflict is hard-wired into the situation.
Brady has a fiduciary duty to the Raiders. Anything he sees while doing his Fox job can and should be used to help the Raiders. That’s why the NFL has prevented him from attending production meetings or practices, and from entering team facilities. It results in Fox getting less than what it’s paying for, but Fox doesn’t seem to care.
Again, this is how things go in post-standards America. Rules that used to matter don’t, especially if someone is famous enough to get everyone to look the other way.
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