Tom Brady, the NFL’s golden boy and perhaps the most recognizable face in football, is expected to become a part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. This exciting news comes as Tom Brady continues to build his post-football legacy, shifting from an athlete who dominated the field to one who aims to shape the future of the sport from the boardroom. His involvement with the Raiders follows his recent acquisition of a stake in the Las Vegas Aces, the WNBA team co-owned by Raiders’ owner Mark Davis. Pending NFL approval, Tom Brady will join the exclusive club of former athletes who have parlayed their on-field success into team ownership.
This step into ownership makes sense for Tom Brady, who has always been a student of the game. His leadership and competitive drive helped him accumulate numerous Super Bowl victories, and now he’s poised to bring those qualities to the executive suite. As the NFL continues to grow in popularity and value, Tom Brady’s investment in the Raiders reflects his long-term commitment to the sport that made him a global icon.
Tom Brady’s investment is rumored to value the Las Vegas Raiders at $7.8 billion dollars, the NFL’s fifth-most valuable franchise thanks in large part due to the Raiders move to Las Vegas which has significantly increased the team’s value.
Tom Brady, and his partner Tom Wagner, have somehow negotiated a 50% discount off the Las Vegas Raiders’ most recent valuation, and are paying around $220 million for a 10% stake.
Then, in order to smooth things out with the NFL’s 31 other owners, Tom Brady and Tom Wagner are also paying a 10% “flip tax” based on a valuation of $3.5 billion dollars for the Las Vegas Raiders, which is to be divided among the league’s 31 other owners. That comes out to $350 million dollars, or $11.29 million dollars per team.
That’s a lot of math I just did, but it works out.
Bottom line: Tom Brady and his partner must be loaded to be able to afford this purchase!
Tom Brady’s name is synonymous with success. If you’ve somehow missed his accomplishments, let’s take a moment to recap. He’s played 23 seasons in the NFL, 20 with the New England Patriots and 3 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His career was marked by incredible achievements, including seven Super Bowl titles – more than any other player in history – and five Super Bowl MVP awards.
But Tom Brady’s rise to stardom wasn’t immediate. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft as the 199th player drafted.
Full stop!
How could that have ever happened? I mean we’re talking about Tom Brady here people! It blows my mind, but I digress.
Essentially Tom Brady entered the NFL as a relative unknown player, but that would obviously change. After stepping in for an injured Drew Bledsoe during the 2001 season, Tom Brady never looked back. His combination of intelligence, accuracy, and poise under pressure made him a dominant force, especially in the postseason. He led the Patriots to 17 AFC East titles and appeared in 10 Super Bowls, cementing his legacy as the greatest quarterback of all time.
Tom Brady’s move to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 only added to his legend. In his first season with the team, he led them to victory in Super Bowl 55, becoming the oldest quarterback to win a championship at 43. His ability to defy age and continue playing at an elite level into his 40s has been nothing short of remarkable. Tom Brady retired in 2023, leaving behind a resume that few – if any – will ever match.
Tom Brady’s success on the field has been matched by his financial acumen. Over his NFL career, Tom Brady earned approximately $333 million from his playing contracts alone. Notably, Tom Brady often took pay cuts to help the Patriots build a competitive roster, demonstrating his willingness to sacrifice for team success. This strategy paid off, as the Patriots were perennial contenders during his tenure.
In addition to his NFL salary, Tom Brady has made substantial earnings through endorsement deals with high-profile brands such as Under Armour, UGG, Aston Martin, and TAG Heuer. These partnerships have bolstered his earnings considerably, pushing his net worth to an estimated $300 million. Tom Brady’s appeal extends beyond football, with his lifestyle brand, TB12, promoting his fitness and health philosophy.
And his earning potential didn’t stop with his retirement. Tom Brady signed a massive deal with Fox Sports in 2022 to become their lead NFL analyst, reportedly worth $375 million over 10 years. This makes Tom Brady one of the highest-paid sports broadcasters, solidifying his financial status long after his playing days.
Tom Brady’s potential ownership stake in the Raiders follows a trend of former athletes transitioning from players to owners. One of the most notable examples is Derek Jeter, the legendary New York Yankees shortstop. In 2017, Jeter became a minority investor and CEO of the Miami Marlins, overseeing the team’s day-to-day operations. While his tenure wasn’t without its challenges, including criticism for cost-cutting moves, Jeter’s presence in the front office was a bold move for a former player. He resigned as CEO in 2022, but his foray into ownership proved that athletes could have significant roles in team management.
Michael Jordan, widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, has also made his mark in ownership. In 2010, Michael Jordan became the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets, making history as the first former NBA player to own a team. His tenure has seen some ups and downs in terms of the team’s performance, but Michael Jordan’s influence as an owner continues to be felt. He is one of the few athletes to successfully transition from a dominant playing career to ownership in a major sports league.
Another example is Magic Johnson, the basketball Hall of Famer who has diversified his business interests across multiple sports. Magic Johnson is a part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers in MLB, the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA, and more recently, the Washington Commanders in the NFL. His successful ventures as an owner reflect his versatility and savvy business instincts, proving that athletes can thrive off the court as well.
LeBron James, another all-time great from the NBA, has also shown an interest in ownership. While he hasn’t bought a majority stake in a team yet, LeBron James owns a small stake in Liverpool F.C., one of the most storied soccer clubs in Europe. LeBron James has openly expressed his desire to own an NBA team one day, following in the footsteps of his mentor, Michael Jordan.
Tom Brady’s expected involvement with the Las Vegas Raiders is not just a business move – it’s the continuation of a legacy. Tom Brady’s impact on football has been undeniable, and now he’s poised to bring his leadership, competitive spirit, and business acumen to the ownership level. The Raiders are one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, and with Tom Brady joining the ownership group, the team stands to benefit from his unparalleled understanding of the game and his brand power.
The NFL has long been dominated by traditional team owners, but the rise of athlete-owners like Tom Brady signals a shift in the sport’s landscape. With athletes leveraging their wealth, experience, and global influence, the future of sports ownership is becoming increasingly diverse and exciting.
With the NFL’s approval of Tom Brady’s 10% stake in the Raiders, this marks a new chapter in his already amazingly successful career. From dominating on the field to making smart business moves off it, Tom Brady continues to show that his impact on football – and the world of sports as a whole – is far from over.
Tom Brady expected to become part owner of NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders