26 February 2024 , 01:00
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Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady is closing in on a deal to become a part owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, but it's not done yet as complicated NFL ownership rules keep fans waiting.
Last May, he said yes to being an investor and a minority owner, but nothing is official right now because Brady might be thinking about different choices. If the deal is to go through, it may be at the expense of other endorsement deals he has in place.
Right now, Brady works with BetMGM but if he becomes a part-owner of an NFL team, strict rules will not allow that partnership to move forward, leaving Brady will a decision to make.
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The NFL told Pro Football Talk in an email: "NFL personnel are prohibited from engaging in, using or permitting the use of one's name or images in connection with activities or materials that depict, advertise, market or promote any form of gambling, including sports betting."
Even though he can't help them out in terms of endorsements, Brady could own up to five percent of BetMGM or another betting company if he becomes an owner of the Raiders. It is something all owners can do as the league is not obliged to reveal where owners chose to invest their wealth.
Brady is reportedly still in talks about becoming a minority owner, thanks to his close relationship with majority owner Mark Davis. The former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccanneers quarterback already owns a small part of the Las Vegas Aces WNBA team, which Davis also owns.
Tom Brady has been in talks to become a part-owner of the Raiders (No credit)Even though Brady's investment has been described as 'passive', becoming a part-owner would stop any rumours that he might come back as a player. According to NFL rules, if he became a limited partner of the Raiders, he couldn't play again unless he applied for and got approval for a dual role - something the owners of the other 31 teams would have to vote on.
Despite interest from the San Francisco 49ers last year, Brady didn't play in the 2023 season - the first NFL season he's missed this century following his second retirement at the end of the 2022 season. He had initially reversed a decision to call time on his career at the end of the 2021 season.
As well as owning part of the Aces, Brady also invested in a pickleball team, before surprising everyone a few months later by announcing he would become a part-owner of English football club Birmingham City FC - he's been spotted at two games since he joined in August.
Brady will have a free schedule for the next 12 months, but he's set to become a major analyst at Fox Sports after signing a massive 10-year, £270million deal - which he will start in the 2024 NFL season.