After decades on the field, the NFL’s most decorated quarterback has officially swapped his jersey for a suit as he steps into the broadcast booth. But as he settles into his new role, all eyes are on Tom Brady’s broadcasting contract with FOX Sports.
Related: Tom Brady’s Net Worth Includes His Deal With Fox Sports & What He Made From The NFL
The seven-time Super Bowl champion made his highly anticipated debut as a FOX Sports analyst on September 8, 2024, calling the Dallas Cowboys vs. Cleveland Browns game alongside veteran play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt. As he takes on this new role, Brady isn’t just expected to provide insightful commentary—he’s now tasked with justifying what many consider to be the most lucrative deal in sports broadcasting history. The question on everyone’s mind: Can the GOAT translate his on-field excellence to the broadcast booth, and is he truly worth the astronomical sum FOX is reportedly paying him?
We’ll let listeners be the judge of that. But for those who are curious about how much money is on the line, keep on reading for all the details of Tom Brady’s broadcasting contract up ahead.
How much is Tom Brady’s broadcasting contract with FOX Sports worth?
In May 2022, FOX Sports announced a 10-year, $375 million contract with Brady, securing his services as their lead NFL analyst once he hung up his cleats. It’s worth noting that this contract actually exceeds Brady’s entire career NFL earnings, which totaled just shy of $333 million over 23 seasons. The deal immediately raised eyebrows, not just for its astronomical figure, but for its length and timing.
Lachlan Murdoch, CEO of Fox Corporation, expressed the network’s excitement at the time, tweeting, “We are pleased to announce that immediately following his playing career, 7-time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady will be joining us at @foxsports as our lead analyst.” Brady, still active as a player then, responded with his characteristic competitive fire: “Excited, but a lot of unfinished business on the field with the @Buccaneers #LFG.”
The path from that announcement to his September 2024 broadcasting debut wasn’t exactly straight. Brady initially retired in February 2022, only to un-retire 40 days later for one final season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This back-and-forth created uncertainty around when he’d actually start his broadcasting career.
In a July 2022 interview with Variety, Brady shed some light on the process. “They approached me after the season. And there’s a lot of history that I have with Fox. I spoke with their executives, and I really had to evaluate if that’s what I wanted to commit to.” He added, “I have a very unique perspective on football and how it should be played, and what good plays look like and what bad plays look like. I feel like I can still have a great impact on the game.”
Fast forward to September 8, 2024, and Brady finally took his seat in the broadcast booth. “We’re here, it’s been quite a journey,” he remarked as the broadcast began. Brady dove right in, offering insights on both teams’ quarterbacks. Speaking about Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, Brady noted, “He’s coming off the best season of his career in 2023.”
Brady’s debut in the broadcast booth was met with mixed reactions from fans and critics alike. While many were excited to hear insights from one of the game’s greatest players, others found his initial performance lacking the polish they expected from such a high-profile hire.
Social media platforms buzzed with first reactions. One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “First game but Tom Brady hasn’t been good, lots of awkward silence and obvious commentating.” Another joked, “Tom Brady hasn’t looked this uncomfortable since facing the Giants in the Super Bowl.”
However, not all feedback was negative. Some fans appreciated Brady relaxed approach. “Solid start for Tom Brady. You can tell he’s easing into it,” one supporter posted. After all, even a GOAT needs time to adjust to a new role.
The mixed reviews highlight the challenges Brady faces in his new career. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Brady to see if he can adapt and improve, justifying FOX’s massive investment in his broadcasting future.
Brady himself seems aware of the challenge ahead. In a 2022 episode of his “Let’s Go!” podcast, he said, “There’s so much to learn, there’s so much to teach, you know, it’s ever-evolving. Believe me, as much as you think I’m willing to teach people, I’m really looking to learn.”
In his Variety interview, Brady also gave a hint of what listeners can expect from him in the broadcast booth. “I’m there to support. I’m there to inform. I have a great knowledge of the game,” he said. “And I also have very high expectations of what players and coaches should do on the field. I’ll have no problem being critical of things that I disagree with, and I’ll have no problem praising things that are exceptional.”
Only time will tell if Brady’s broadcasting career will mirror the success of his playing days. But one thing’s for certain: with $375 million on the line, FOX is betting big on the GOAT’s second act.
