• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
2024 Best Venues nominations are open now through April 8! Submit Now

Tom Brady Heading to Fox After Retirement With Likely Record Deal

  • Once he retires, Brady could make up to $25 million a year as Fox’s No. 1 game analyst.
  • Brady will blow past Troy Aikman at ESPN and Tony Romo at CBS.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

When he finally hangs up his cleats, Tom Brady will step into the richest contract in sports TV history.

The seven-time Super Bowl champion will make $20 million to $25 million annually to serve as Fox Sports’s No. 1 game analyst with Kevin Burkhardt, sources told Front Office Sports. That will easily take Brady past the $18 million average salaries for Troy Aikman at ESPN and Tony Romo at CBS Sports.

Brady’s deal is also believed to be longer than the typical five years. All told, his pact could reach 10 years and $250 million, estimated sources. By comparison, Aikman’s new deal will pay him over $90 million over five years. Romo’s deal will pay him $180 million over 10 years. 

The deal includes ancillary production and marketing elements that could put even more money in Brady’s pocket. The 44-year old quarterback has a global company 199 Productions (named after his selection spot in the 2000 NFL Draft) that’s developing documentaries, TV shows and feature films. He also boasts his TB12 lifestyle brand and an NFT platform dubbed Autograph.

The New York Post pegged Brady’s new deal at 10 years for $375 million.

“Over the course of this long-term agreement, Tom will not only call our biggest NFL games with Kevin Burkhardt, but will also serve as an ambassador for us, particularly with respect to client and promotional initiatives,” noted Fox in a statement

Front Office Sports first reported in February that Fox and other NFL TV partners were prepared to offer the five-time Super Bowl MVP the richest pact in sports history. 

Fox will televise two of the next three Super Bowls. So it had to make a dramatic talent move to stay in the good graces of the NFL. Fox was stunned when rival ESPN swooped in to hire both Aikman and Joe Buck for “Monday Night Football.” The league demands marquee talent on the No. 1 announcing teams. Outside of possibly Peyton Manning, there’s no talent bigger than Brady.

After briefly retiring, the three-time MVP announced via social media that he’s returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this year for his 23rd NFL season. Including this year, Brady has earned $332 million in on-field salary and bonuses, according to Spotrac.

Fox chief executive officer Lachlan Murdoch announced Brady’s hire during an earnings call Tuesday morning.

Update: Fox issued an additional statement Tuesday afternoon, saying: “What has been reported isn’t an accurate description of the deal and we have not released details beyond what was disclosed on our quarterly earnings call.” 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jul 12, 2023; Los Angeles, CA, USA; ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro arrives on the red carpet before the 2023 ESPYS at the Dolby Theatre.

Disney Succession Talk Rises Amid Shareholder Battles, ESPN Changes

Public attention rises on who will lead the company after Bob Iger.

‘Everybody Was Under Suspicion’: The Day Selection Sunday Was Scooped

In 2016, the ‘Selection Show’ backfired when the bracket was leaked anonymously.
Sep 3, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Orlando Pride forward Ally Watt (11) and Orlando Pride forward Julie Doyle (20) enter the stadium before the game against OL Reign at Lumen Field.

So Long, White Shorts: Here’s Why the NWSL’s Uniform Pivot Matters

There’s finally a growing trend to adapt women’s sports to women’s bodies.

Would Stephen A. Smith Make It On Late Night TV?

Smith tells ‘FOS’ he’s interested in succeeding Jimmy Kimmel, who has suggested his own clock is winding down at ABC.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

How ESPN Broadcasts the Most Unpredictable Tournament in Sports

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

exclusive

WWE Prez Nick Khan, COO Brad Blum Revealed As Key Figures in Vince McMahon Sex-Trafficking Suit

The two men are described in the suit as facilitating and covering up exploitation.
March 10, 2024

For the ‘Spulu’ Super-Streamer: Lots of Questions, No Good Answers

Big partners, bigger promises, and an unclear operation.
March 9, 2024

‘We Want to Be Paid’: Inside Dartmouth Men’s Basketball’s Historic Union Effort

A group of players made history when they became the first NCAA team to vote to unionize.
March 4, 2024

The Caitlin Clark Economy: Much More Than an Army of Traveling Young Girls

The economy surrounding No. 22 goes far beyond her biggest fans.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Spotify
Multiple - USA Careers
Nike
Multiple - USA Careers
EA
Multiple - USA Careers
Mar 10, 2024; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Indycar driver Josef Newgarden (middle) celebrates winning the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Indycar driver Patricio O'Ward (left) celebrates winning second and Indycar driver Scott McLaughlin (right) celebrates winning third.

With NBC Deal Expiring, IndyCar Nearing New Media-Rights Deal

IndyCar is in the last season of a three-year rights deal with NBC.
Painted murals of Sports Illustrated covers inside the new University of Tennessee-themed Graduate Hotel located at 1706 Cumberland Ave. in Knoxville on Friday, August 7, 2020. Kns Graduatehotel Bp
March 18, 2024

New ‘Sports Illustrated’ Publisher Carries Big Opportunities, Bigger Expectations

Minute Media has generated big traffic, but ‘SI’ represents something else entirely.
Oct 14, 2022; Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers small forward LeBron James (6) smiles towards fans from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center.
March 18, 2024

How LeBron James and JJ Redick Decided to Launch a Podcast

‘Mind the Game’ will focus on the X’s and O’s of basketball.
Sponsored

How Daily Fantasy Sports Solved NBA Fantasy

The remarkable growth of the #1 Discord sports server in the world.
March 18, 2024

‘Sports Illustrated’ Will Continue to Publish

The famed publication has a new licensing deal with Minute Media, which begins immediately.
March 15, 2024

The NWSL Is Ready to Cash in on New Media Exposure

ESPN, CBS, Amazon, and Scripps Sports will air matches this season.
March 14, 2024

Vince McMahon Lawsuit Questions Still Not Affecting WWE for Now

None of WWE’s current media and corporate partners have signaled any intent to exit their deals.
exclusive
March 13, 2024

Sources: ‘Sports Illustrated’ and Swimsuit Edition to Be Broken Apart

The news comes as Authentic, which owns ‘SI,’ is expected to make a decision about its future within the next few weeks.