Tom Brady Joins Las Vegas Raiders as Minority Owner

Tom Brady and Others Approved as Minority Owners of the Las Vegas Raiders

Tom Brady and Others Approved as Minority Owners of the Las Vegas Raiders

In a significant move for the NFL, owners convened in Atlanta on Tuesday and cast their votes in favor of Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis’ sale of a minority stake in the franchise. This decision marks the entry of former NFL quarterback Tom Brady, former defensive lineman Richard Seymour, and businessman Tom Wagner, co-founder of Knighthead Capital Management, as minority owners of the team.

Tom Brady Joins Las Vegas Raiders as Minority Owner

Davis has sold approximately 10.5 percent of the Raiders franchise, with both Brady and Wagner acquiring around 5 percent each, while Seymour secured about 0.5 percent, according to league sources. The financial details surrounding the transactions have not been disclosed.

Expressing his excitement, Brady stated in a press release on X, “I’m incredibly humbled and excited to have been unanimously approved as an owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. Throughout my NFL career, I’ve learned that at its core, football is a game of teamwork, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The Raiders franchise and the city of Las Vegas embody these same values, and I’m honored to become part of that story.”

Commissioner Roger Goodell commented on the development, emphasizing the significance of Brady’s investment in the league: “It’s great that Tom Brady wants to invest in the NFL. He cares deeply about this game. He believes in its future.”

In a day filled with news for the Raiders, the franchise also made headlines by trading star receiver Davante Adams to the New York Jets for a conditional third-round pick. Davis humorously remarked to reporters, “We traded Davante Adams for Tom Brady and a third-round pick today.”

However, the decision to sell a minority stake was not purely financially motivated for Davis. He is keen on leveraging the expertise that Brady and Seymour bring to the table. “The transactions that we’re doing are not based on just getting money,” Davis explained. “It’s bringing value to the franchise.”

Seymour, who played for the Raiders from 2009 to 2012 during a crucial period in the team’s transition, has a longstanding relationship with both Al Davis and his son Mark. His involvement extends beyond ownership; he was part of the panel that helped hire general manager Tom Telesco and head coach Antonio Pierce earlier this offseason.

Brady’s potential contributions to the Raiders could extend into football operations. “I’m eager to contribute to the organization in any way I can,” Brady added. “Honoring the Raiders’ rich tradition while finding every possible opportunity to improve our offering to fans … and most importantly, WIN football games.”

Davis reflected on his desire to bring Brady on board, noting that he had hoped to sign the quarterback when he was a free agent in 2020. “I wanted him to play for the Raiders,” he said. “It didn’t come to fruition for certain reasons, and he went to Tampa Bay and ended up winning a Super Bowl. I had stayed in touch with his agent and just let his agent know at the time that I would love, at some point in time, for Tom to be part of this organization.”

While the future Hall of Famer is keen to help the Raiders, it’s essential to note that both Brady and Seymour hold the title of “limited partner” without additional titles within the organization. According to NFL regulations, only the controlling owner or their relatives can have official roles within the franchise.

Brady will maintain his position as a game analyst at Fox Sports and has agreed to certain restrictions set by the NFL to avoid conflicts of interest. These include limitations on accessing team facilities, attending production meetings, and public commentary on officiating or other teams. “It’s something that (owners) did have concerns about,” said Davis, acknowledging the delicate balance between ownership and operational involvement.

As the controlling owner, Davis retains the ultimate authority over franchise decisions and has the exclusive voting rights at NFL meetings. Interestingly, the NFL recently reduced the minimum ownership percentage required to be considered a controlling owner from 5 percent to 1 percent for long-standing owners, which applies to Davis, who has been at the helm since his father Al’s passing in 2011.

For someone to take over as controlling owner, they would need to acquire at least 30 percent of the franchise and outbid both Davis and his mother, Carol Davis. With no siblings or children to inherit the team, the future of the Raiders’ ownership structure remains a topic of speculation.

While it’s premature to predict how Brady and Seymour’s influence will shape the Raiders, their involvement comes at a critical juncture for the franchise, which is currently navigating a transition under new leadership. The team has struggled to make a playoff appearance since 2021 and is seeking to reverse its fortunes.

Overall, this development signifies a new chapter for the Raiders, one enhanced by the insights and experiences of two legendary players and a seasoned businessman.

Required reading

  • Timeline of Tom Brady becoming part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders
  • How Tom Brady bought into the Raiders and why he wanted a piece of the NFL pie

(Photo: Ron Jenkins / Getty Images)

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