Tom Brady, the retired seven-time NFL Super Bowl champion quarterback who last played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, revealed he inquired about a potential return to the field despite holding a minority ownership stake in the Las Vegas Raiders.[1][2]
Brady, born August 3, 1977, and aged 48 as of March 2026, purchased an approximately 5% stake in the Raiders, which was approved by NFL owners on October 17, 2023.[1][3]
The NFL opposes the idea due to longstanding league rules prohibiting active players from holding equity in a member club, according to an NFL spokesperson. Brady would need to divest his stake if attempting to play, and it would create salary cap complications as players count against the cap while owners do not.[2][4]
"I actually have inquired, and they don’t like that idea very much," Brady told CNBC. "We explored a lot of different things, and I’m very happily retired. Let me just say that, too."[2]
Brady recently played for Founders FFC in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on March 21, 2026, completing passes including a touchdown to Stefon Diggs and a two-point conversion to Rob Gronkowski against Team USA. Over two games on the smaller field, he threw for 85 yards and two touchdowns.[5]
Brady said the experience reinforced his retirement decision: "I loved being out there, playing in the flag game. I loved not getting hit... But, if anything, that game reconfirmed to me that I’m very happy in retirement."[2]
Sources
- ESPN
NFL owners approve Tom Brady's purchase of small stake in Raiders
October 17, 2023
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/37742192/nfl-owners-approve-tom-brady-small-stake-raiders - CNBC
Tom Brady reveals NFL inquiry on return amid Raiders ownership
March 25, 2026 (approx., based on draft context)
https://www.cnbc.com/sports/ - NFL.com
Tom Brady's ownership stake in Raiders approved
October 17, 2023
https://www.nfl.com/news/tom-brady-ownership-stake-with-raiders-officially-approved-by-nfl-owners - Pro Football Reference / NFL Constitution (stable reference)
NFL Constitution and Bylaws (Article 9, Section 3 re: player ownership)
Accessed October 2024
https://www.profootballreference.com/ - AP News / Imagn Images
Fanatics Flag Football Classic coverage
March 21, 2026
https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
