Man In The Booth

Tom Brady Signs With Fox For $375M After Retirement

It wasn’t long ago when NFL fans thought they had seen the last of Tom Brady. After announcing his retirement from professional football, many fans were disappointed that he would be ending his legendary career. Fast forward a month later, and Brady quickly gave up on his retirement to spend at least another year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in hopes of winning his 8th Super Bowl. However, after signing his latest contract, fans will be able to see Brady every Sunday even after retirement.

This week, Brady signed a 10-year deal worth upwards of $375 million with Fox Sports to become their leading NFL analyst which is set to begin following his official retirement, whenever that may be. Fox Sports is one of the largest NFL broadcasters in the world and has the rights for two of the next three Super Bowls. But what does this mean for Brady?

Well, it means that Brady and Gisele will have more spending money as if they didn’t need it already. So far, Brady has earned just over $332 million in his 22 seasons in the NFL. Although he routinely took pay cuts and lower salaries to help his teams acquire more players, there’s no doubt that he’s one of the NFL’s all-time highest-paid players, partly due to his longevity and continued excellence on the field. Despite this, he will earn more than double per season as an NFL analyst compared to a player.

To be fair, Brady’s contract with Fox is one of the largest broadcasting deals by far. In 2020, CBS hired former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo to be their leading analyst for $17.5 million per year for 10 years. More recently, ESPN hired Troy Aikman for $18 million per year for 5 years. Romo and Aikman are seen as some of the best broadcasters in football and earn more than most elite football players do in a season. For Brady to sign a contract worth double that of other top analysts before he’s even called an NFL game goes to show how big Brady’s name recognition and personal branding can go.

Although it’s obvious that Brady just loves to play football, eventually a time comes when your body cannot put up with one of the most physical sports in the world. Even if Brady convinced himself, and his family, to play at least another year, he knows that one day sooner than later his playing career will end. Luckily for Brady, he’ll likely never have to fight for a job again.

Whether you’re a diehard Tom Brady lover who supports him wherever he goes or you hate him for the pain he’s caused your favourite team in the last 22 years, NFL fans will be seeing him around the game for at least another decade.

Published: May 13, 2022 - Issue 38 of The Sport Marketeer