Tom Brady brings a wealth of football knowledge and aura to the Raiders franchise after joining the ownership group

In August, Tom Brady agreed to a set of NFL rules that would restrict his access to teams and their weekly game planning ahead of his new job as an anchor on FOX.

And in addition to agreeing to those restrictions, Brady also made a promise to the league and all owners: He would not come out of retirement.

A source told CBS Sports that promise was reiterated at the NFL’s league meetings in Atlanta on Tuesday, shortly before owners voted unanimously to allow the seven-time Super Bowl champion to be part owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.

The promise was ultimately invalid because, as an owner, Brady cannot also be an employee of the team, as CBS Sports previously reported. But it shows the lengths Brady was willing to go to to secure his share of the Raiders.

Brady’s exact ownership structure is unclear, but a source told CBS Sports that the quarterback’s purchase involved 5% of the team for all intents and purposes. His purchase was linked to Tom Wagner, Brady’s business partner and co-founder of Knighthead Capital.

Raiders owner Mark Davis said Tuesday he didn’t want to comment on Brady’s future role with the Raiders, but wasn’t afraid to admit he would lean on Brady for questions about football.

“Even though Tom can’t play, I think he can help us select a quarterback in the future and possibly coach him as well,” Davis said. “So it’s a huge benefit to the organization.”

The Raiders know they don’t have their quarterback of the future on the roster. Coach Antonio Pierce pushed general manager Tom Telesco to make a deal in the April draft to get Jayden Daniels, but the Commanders had no interest in making the selection.

Because Brady could become the quarterback of the future, he was almost the quarterback of the past. Davis revealed that the Raiders wanted Brady in 2020 when he left the Patriots. The Raiders had Derek Carr, and he was in the middle of a five-year contract extension that had made him the highest-paid player in the league at one point.

The Athletic reported that it was Gruden who didn’t want Brady. According to a source familiar with the events, the Bears were also involved with Brady, but were told questions along their offensive line put them behind the Buccaneers.

Brady has been working to get a piece of the Raiders for more than a year, and he got his share at a significant discount to the team’s valuation, according to multiple sources.

When he was about to get his share, Brady was just beginning his broadcasting career. After hearing complaints from some team owners, the league implemented several restrictions on his access to teams ahead of this week’s vote.

Brady is not allowed to enter other teams’ facilities, attend production meetings or attend practice, among other bans he agreed to in the preseason. To his credit, Davis understands the concerns, and on Tuesday he admitted he doesn’t want Chiefs owner Clark Hunt interviewing his coach and quarterback before a game.

Sources believe Davis wanted Brady on board for several reasons. Yes, there is the cash injection, and there is the marketing and ticket sales. There is also the benefit of having the GOAT as an advisor and business partner.

Brady was part owner of the Las Vegas Aces, Davis’ WNBA team. And Brady’s influence has been a part of the Raiders for some time. His longtime coach, Alex Guerrero, has been consulting with the team since last year, and sources say he has been on the sidelines for all Raiders games this season.

Brady’s new role also brings with it a natural connection to Bill Belichick, who wants to take over as coach again in 2025. First of all, there is no free space in Las Vegas. Davis hired Pierce last year without a real search after Pierce served successfully as an interim.

Last year, Davis showed no interest in signing Belichick or Mike Vrabel, both free agents who will have a market this year. A source said the “miserable existence” during Josh McDaniels’ tenure influenced Davis’ decision not to pursue that path.

Sources also believe Belichick would bring McDaniels with him at his next stop. It’s not unusual for a former coach to become a coordinator at his old place, but again, it’s hard to believe that McDaniels would be back in this building so soon after things ended last October.

Plus, the AFC West presents a tremendous challenge heading into the postseason. Belichick is 26 behind Don Shula in all-time regular season wins, and when you include the playoffs, it’s just 14. There are easier divisions in football, um to reach the record than that occupied by Patrick Mahomes.

A reporter asked Davis on Tuesday night, a few hours after Brady was officially approved, what he could gain if Brady were now part owner instead of just an advisor the day before.

“I don’t know if I can answer that. We’ll see,” Davis said. “Today 1. My dad said the Raiders’ greatness was the future. Well, today that future begins.”

Less than 24 hours later, Brady walked into the lobby of the Las Vegas Raiders headquarters. He carried a silver insulated water bottle and a career record of 6-1 against the franchise. Sam Spence’s music for “The Autumn Wind” played to a standing ovation from the entire staff.