Tom Brady has explored the possibility of returning to the NFL as a player while maintaining his minority ownership stake in the Las Vegas Raiders, but league policies may prevent such a move. Brady confirmed in an interview with CNBC Sport that he inquired about the feasibility of playing while owning a team, but the NFL has indicated strong opposition.
The NFL’s 2023 policy prohibits players or team employees from holding equity in a club, meaning Brady would need to divest his Raiders stake to return as a player. Additionally, the league cited potential salary cap issues involving a player-owner scenario. Brady, however, emphasized that he has no plans to unretire and remains happy in retirement.
In a separate interview with FOX Business, Brady discussed his post-playing career roles, including broadcasting and wellness initiatives. He joked about no longer being booed in stadiums and expressed satisfaction with his current involvement in football through the Raiders and FOX Sports.
Brady’s participation in a recent flag football game reignited speculation about a potential NFL return, but he stated the experience reinforced his contentment with retirement. The NFL’s stance on ownership conflicts with player eligibility remains a significant barrier to any hypothetical comeback.