Tom Brady

Brady's acquisition of a minority stake in the Raiders while becoming a leading Fox analyst prompted the NFL to impose special restrictions on his access to practices, facilities and production meetings. The rules were partly relaxed in 2025, but his dual role continued to attract criticism, notably after he appeared wearing a headset in the Raiders coaches' booth.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Brady was one of FTX's principal ambassadors. After the platform collapsed in 2022, investors included him in a class action against several celebrities who had promoted FTX. In May 2025, a federal judge dismissed twelve of fourteen grounds against the promoters but allowed theories based on Florida and Oklahoma laws concerning unregistered securities to proceed.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Accused

The independent investigation commissioned by the NFL concluded that the Miami Dolphins had engaged in prohibited communications with Brady in 2019–2020 while he was under contract with New England, and again in 2021 while he was with Tampa Bay. Discussions included potential roles as a player and executive.

Federal data showed that TB12 Inc., the company associated with Brady, had received a $960,855 PPP loan during the pandemic. The amount prompted public criticism because Brady was among the highest-paid athletes, while the programme was intended to support small businesses and their employees.

State of the evidence

Documented

The Patriots restricted access for Brady's trainer and business associate Alex Guerrero, notably to the sidelines and certain areas of the organisation. The episode fuelled reports of tensions between the TB12 system, the team's medical staff and Bill Belichick.

State of the evidence

Documented

The presence of a "Make America Great Again" cap in his locker and his friendly remarks about Donald Trump were interpreted as political endorsement and prompted public controversy. Brady subsequently clarified that a favourable comment was not a voting recommendation and declined to reveal his own vote; in 2017, he publicly disapproved of Trump's attacks on protesting players.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Gisele Bündchen publicly stated that Brady had suffered a concussion during the 2016 season although the Patriots' official injury reports recorded none. The NFL reviewed reports from neurological consultants and observers and said it found no record indicating a head injury or concussion symptoms.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

The Wells Report concluded it was more probable than not that Brady was at least generally aware of manipulation of football pressure by Patriots employees. The NFL suspended him for four games. A federal judge initially overturned the sanction, but the Second Circuit reinstated it, and Brady ultimately served it at the start of the 2016 season.

Attribution

Directly implicated