Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady will join Fox Sports as its lead football analyst once his playing career ends, the network has revealed.
The deal is reportedly worth $540 million (AUD) over 10 years and is the largest contract in sports broadcasting history, as it more than doubles both CBS’ Tony Romo and ESPN’s Troy Aikman’s average annual salary of $26 million per season. Fox Sports has denied the sum it is paying for Brady is that large and says financial details won’t be released.
When Brady actually swaps the cleats for the microphone is unclear, after the megastar recently changed his mind about retiring and said he plans to continue playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for his 23rd NFL season.
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After losing iconic commentators Joe Buck and Troy Aikman to ESPN, Fox went hard to secure Brady with his $54 million-a-year salary more than $6 million more than Buck ($22m) and Aikman ($26m) will make combined.
The NFL legend has already earned $480 million during his 22 seasons as a player.
Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan Murdoch made the announcement during a corporate investor call.
“Over the course of this long-term agreement, Tom will not only call our biggest NFL games with Kevin Burkhardt, he will also serve as an ambassador for us, particularly with respect to client and promotional initiatives,” Murdoch said.
Murdoch said it’s “entirely up to” Brady when he decides to retire from football and join Fox.
Brady led the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl title following the 2020 season and NFC South championship last season. He teamed with coach Bill Belichick to win six Super Bowls during 20 seasons with the New England Patriots.
Murdoch offered no other details on the deal.
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