Troy Aikman served as the lead analyst for the NFL on Fox, a role akin to Tom Brady’s, until he transitioned to ESPN in 2022, which gives him valuable insight into the network’s operations. Ahead of Brady’s first Super Bowl call and as a new part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, Aikman appeared on The Ryen Russillo Podcast to discuss Brady’s potential “conflicts of interest” as both analyst and executive.
Aikman questioned the “logic” of the NFL permitting Brady to participate in production meetings during Super Bowl week after being barred from similar meetings in previous weeks, yet he believes the backlash regarding Brady’s role is exaggerated. “Is there a big conflict? I don’t think so,” Aikman asserted, expressing that the situation is not as problematic as some suggest. Many view Brady as receiving preferential treatment from both Fox and the NFL, which allows for this unique setup unlike others.
Recalling a discussion with Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks, Aikman noted that he had expressed interest in joining a bid for an NFL team, leading Shanks to quickly give him the green light, with the only stipulation being that Aikman could not own a team that reached a Super Bowl televised by Fox. Therefore, as long as the Raiders do not make it to the big game, Brady appears to be in the clear.
Aikman does, however, believe that Brady’s potential conflicts of interest are more pronounced on the NFL side rather than Fox’s. He stated, “When you’re an analyst, you get a chance to interact and see those coaches a little bit more. So Tom, knowing him, had done his homework,” which gives Brady insight into what the Raiders should be pursuing in terms of coaches and candidates based on his experience as a broadcaster.
The missed opportunity for the Raiders to acquire top head coach target Ben Johnson, whose game Brady called in the NFC Divisional round, may have diminished discussions surrounding these conflicts. Unless the Raiders experience a resurgence by 2029, it seems Brady will not encounter Shanks’ stipulation.
