Tom Brady discusses reasons for Las Vegas Raiders investment. What did he say?

The legendary quarterback opened up about the reasons behind his recent foray into the world of franchise ownership. Though he may no longer be a player it’s clear he hasn’t lost his love for the game that made him who he is today.

Tom Brady’s complicated history with the Raiders

While it’s shocking to see Tom Brady now on the way to becoming a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, it’s by no means surprising to see him back in the game of football as an owner following his recent retirement. Indeed, Brady has flirted with the idea of ownership for some time, and fans will of course remember the reports about him being linked with a similar move that involved the Miami Dolphins. Yet, we’ve got to admit that the obvious question in all of this is ‘why the Raiders?’ From the aforementioned Dolphins to his childhood favorite 49ers, and even the Patriots with whom he made history, there are a number of teams that would have ‘made sense’ before the Las Vegas franchise. On the other hand, there is some interesting history between the two.

Back in 2001 during the AFC Divisional Playoff game, the then-New England Patriots quarterback and the then-Oakland Raiders came face to face at Foxboro Stadium in Massachusetts. With 1:50 left in the game, Brady was hit by Raiders CB, Charles Woodson, who also happened to be Brady’s teammate at Michigan and the officials ruled it a fumble after deciding that the Patriots QB had tucked the ball back towards his body. This has significance because two years prior (1999) the ‘Tuck Rule’ had been introduced which essentially outlined what was a fumble vs. an incomplete pass. On that basis, officials would then go on to review the call and in turn rule it an incomplete pass which meant the Patriots retained possession. That moment is largely regarded as the moment which jumpstarted what became New England’s dynasty.

What has Tom Brady said about his investment in the Raiders?

Of course, we’re not saying that Brady bought a team on the basis of the history we just explained but it’s interesting to note how their paths have been intertwined. As for his stated reasons for investing in the Las Vegas-based franchise, Brady put it down to his fond memories of them.

“I grew up in the Bay Area. My favorite team was the 49ers. The team across the bay was the Raiders. And, you know, they’re an iconic NFL franchise,” Brady said. “When I look at a lot of the people that have impacted the NFL over a long period of time in the most positive way, Al Davis is one of them. And he’s not with us anymore but I’ve heard incredible stories. And then the opportunity came about to become a minority owner in the Raiders, it was a dream come true for me.”

So, what will Brady’s involvement in the Raiders look like?

Now, it’s worth noting that this isn’t a done deal just yet. League protocol is such that Brady still has to receive the blessing of the other 31 owners in the league, however, given how advanced things are at this point one has to imagine that it’s simply a box to be checked. At the same time, the truth is that there won’t actually be much for the seven-time Super Bowl winner to do once negotiations have been wrapped up. Quite frankly, Brady won’t have any control where control or decision-making is concerned.

“I’ll be playing a very passive role,” Brady said. “This is something that I’m interested in doing for the rest of my life. This is not something that I’m into it for a year or two years. You know, I’ve got a lot of responsibility with my Fox job, which I take very seriously. But if I’m looking over the course of my life, to have the opportunity to be involved in the NFL is a dream come true. And if I could help the NFL and continue to contribute in a positive way, then you know, that’s been a very enjoyable part of my life.”