Tom Brady, who is set to step into the Fox Sports booth during the Super Bowl, is approaching his new broadcasting role with the same mindset he had in his ten previous appearances as a player in the big game. As he prepared for the matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, Brady addressed several topics in a conference call, marking one of his first major opportunities to speak with the media since he transitioned to this new career.
Throughout the season, Brady has appeared frequently on Colin Cowherd’s FS1 program, yet it was during this recent call that he shared his thoughts on what he hopes to achieve in broadcasting. “There’s no scoreboard for us. Ultimately, it’s about being well-prepared and feeling confident in what we’re doing. If I can answer yes to enjoying myself and expressing my thoughts confidently, then I feel we’ve done well,” Brady remarked, expressing excitement for the journey ahead.
As he embarks on his first year in broadcasting, Brady has experienced the same level of scrutiny as he did during his remarkable 23-year career as a quarterback with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he secured seven Super Bowl victories. While comparisons have been made between his initial broadcasting performance and Tony Romo’s successful debut with CBS in 2017, Brady’s transition has been smoother than that of many other athletes attempting to navigate this new field.
Kevin Burkhardt, set to call his second Super Bowl, has noted Brady’s growing comfort level throughout the season. He explained, “It is challenging to be on live television for extended periods without the option to edit. The goal for us has always been to progress and enhance our teamwork with each game. Working with new partners comes with its own learning curve, and I’m proud of where we stand now.”
Brady’s connection to Fox Sports began with a lucrative 10-year, $375 million contract that he signed in May 2022 while still playing for Tampa Bay. After retiring post-season, he opted for a year off before fully transitioning to his new role. Throughout the season, Brady and Burkhardt had opportunities to practice in a less-public setting, but Brady acknowledged a steep learning curve in becoming an effective commentator.
He commented on the adrenaline rush of speaking to a live audience compared to his past experiences on the field, stating, “In the game, I could see everything but didn’t need to articulate it. Now, I must share my insights. Embracing the uncertainty in this role is part of the learning journey, and I have genuinely enjoyed it. I love bringing the viewer inside my perspective, which can range from being straightforward to exceedingly complex. As a team, I feel we are hitting our stride.”
As Brady evolves in his role, he has also received guidance from notable figures such as Tony Romo, Cris Collinsworth, and Al Michaels. The duality of his roles as both a commentator and a limited owner of the Las Vegas Raiders has stirred discussions. To avoid any potential conflicts of interest, the NFL has implemented regulations prohibiting Brady from participating in production meetings with teams or attending practices.
Fox Sports’ president of operations and production, Brad Zager, clarified that concerns regarding a conflict of interest are unfounded. This week, Brady is permitted to join production meetings with Chiefs and Eagles players and coaches but will not have access to practice sessions. Brady noted that not attending production meetings has not hindered his game preparation research, though he misses the relational aspect of building partnerships with fellow analysts.
He emphasized the importance of establishing genuine relationships through shared experiences in production meetings while relying on thorough research from press conferences throughout the week. “To me, the questions posed during press conferences are as informative as anything I would ask,” he added.
In discussing his involvement with the Raiders, Brady remained diplomatic about his role in decisions surrounding the coaching staff. He characterized his position as one of support to the team’s vision set by owner Mark Davis, stating, “My role is to support and complement the leadership vision. That will unfold in its appropriate time.”
Reflecting on his past Super Bowl experiences, Brady expressed enthusiasm for the Chiefs potentially achieving a historic third consecutive win, which would bring quarterback Patrick Mahomes closer to his own record number of championships. “I appreciate seeing others achieve greatness, and the success of others doesn’t diminish my own accomplishments,” he expressed.
Ultimately, Brady conveyed that comparisons between players are a natural part of sports media but reiterated that, as a competitor, he has never been overly focused on such comparisons during his career, a sentiment he maintains in his new role as an analyst.
