Tom Brady’s Commentating Debut Draws Mixed Reviews
Sean Gordon
Staff Writer
Tom Brady has been in the commentator’s booth for three weeks now, and fans and experts alike have not been shy about expressing their opinions about his performance thus far. FOX Sports made the seven-time Super Bowl champion the highest-paid commentator in sports history when it signed him to a 10-year $375 million contract in May 2022. For reference, Brady earned around $333 million over his 23-year playing career. Other experienced star announcers such as Tony Romo and Troy Aikman earn around $18 million annually, less than half of Brady’s’ annual salary.
Brady’s contract was delayed until the fall of 2024 following his decision to un-retire from football just 40 days after initially announcing his retirement back in February 2022. His long-awaited official debut as FOX Sports’ lead color commentator came in week one of the NFL season alongside play-by-play partner Kevin Burkhardt on Sept. 8 in the Dallas Cowboys’ dominant 33-17 win over the Cleveland Browns. Social media did not take it easy on the former Patriots quarterback as heavy criticism was thrown his way following his broadcasting debut.
A user on X writes, “Maybe someone should have listened to Tom Brady say words before dropping $300 million on him.” “Tom Brady can’t seem to form any sentences that have any sort of normal cadence to them”, another writes.
Rob Gronkowski, who played with Brady for a total of 11 seasons, offered a much more supportive critique of his old teammate on Up & Adams with Kay Adams. Gronk admitted that Brady made some mistakes, calling it a “rookie debut”, but overall did a good job and will continue to grow in his new role. “He was like a quarterback that was picked number one overall. All the hype in the world. And he came through. He did come through, but he had some jitters. He made some great plays,” Gronk told Kay Adams.
ESPN senior writer and New York Times Bestselling Author Don Van Natta Jr. took to X after Brady’s third time in the booth writing, “Tom Brady’s problem – and ours – is his voice.” He continues, “No matter how much his commentary might improve, Brady’s delivery system teeters between mildly annoying to nails-on-a-chalkboard.”
It will likely take some time for Brady to get used to the job, just as it will take time for fans to get used to hearing him on the mic and seeing him in the booth instead of on the field. Brady will have plenty of time to win over the sports world over the course of the long 18-week NFL regular season. His “rookie season” will end in a familiar setting as he is set to commentate Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
Contact Sean at sean.gordon@student.shu.edu