It’s a curious case of Tom Brady, where he announces a game in Week 1 as a Fox analyst and heads directly to a team’s coaching booth the next as a minority owner. In NFL terms, however, it’s called a ‘conflict of interest.’ During the Raiders vs. Chargers Week 2 matchup, he was spotted in the coach’s booth with a headset on. Naturally, social media lit up.

Grant Paulsen from Grant & Danny on 106.7 The Fan called him out for announcing the Commanders’ game in Week 1 and then sitting in the Raiders’ booth just a week later. “This is such a ridiculous conflict of interest,” he shared via his ‘X’ handle. “Brady was just calling the Commanders game last week. Got tons of behind the scenes access. But he can just be in the coaching booth when they play in WSH next week? How is this allowed? It’s nuts.”

The criticism was palpable, and so was the debate around whether Brady is allowed to do so or not. But fast-forward to now, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed that Brady, while appearing in the coach’s booth, didn’t violate any NFL rules. Per Schefter, the league has made it official that Brady is “prohibited from going to a team facility for practices or production meetings.” The real twist, though?

The former NFL quarterback-turned-Fox analyst-turned-Raiders minority owner is allowed to sit in the team’s booth. That’s a right the NFL gives to a team’s owner. Brady is a Fox analyst. But he’s also the Raiders’ minority owner. He can sit there. He can put the headphones on as well. “There are no policies that prohibit an owner from sitting in the coaches’ booth or wearing a headset during a game,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in the statement.

“Brady was sitting in the booth in his capacity as a limited partner. All personnel sitting in the booth must abide by policies that prohibit the use of electronic devices other than league-issued equipment such as a Microsoft Surface Tablet for the Sideline Viewing System.” Brady was spotted in the booth during the first quarter of the Raiders’ 20-9 loss to the Chargers on Monday.

The NFL legend previously inked a 10-year, $375 million deal with Fox back in 2022. Meanwhile, after hanging up his cleats from quarterbacking, the 48-year-old entered the ownership market, acquiring a 10% stake in the Raiders’ franchise with his partners. And that’s where the NFL had to step in—to put some limitations on Brady’s dual role.

What Tom Brady is allowed and not allowed to do

Even though Tom Brady did not violate any NFL rules after sitting in the Raiders’ booth, there was a reason his small appearance made a big headline. He was announcing the Commanders just last week. And as per the NFL’s restrictions and permission for Brady’s dual role, he can interact with the players, coaches, and other teams, so nothing he did in Week 1 crossed the line.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Fast forward to Week 2, and he’s up in the Raiders’ booth doing his thing. The real twist? Vegas is set to face Washington in Week 3. That’s where the potential conflict of interest really shows up. As a team owner, he naturally represents his franchise’s interests. But as a broadcaster, he’s supposed to stay neutral. Brady sits in both chairs at once. Which is why the league has to keep a close eye on his special case.

As mentioned earlier, he’s allowed to interact with players, coaches, and the other teams. On top of that, he’s restricted to another team’s production meetings and team facilities/practices. As for do’s, he’s permitted to broadcast the Raiders games, and the league has also allowed him to virtually access production meetings. While Tom Brady’s a valuable asset for the Raiders, sure. We’ll see how he tackles both jobs at the same time.