NFL speaks out on latest Tom Brady controversy after he infuriated fans by sitting in Raiders' coaching booth

The NFL has insisted Tom Brady didn't break any rules after being spotted in the Las Vegas Raiders' coaching booth on Monday night, despite his work as a broadcaster for Fox.

The seven-time Super Bowl winning quarterback is a minority owner of the Raiders and was spotted wearing a headset while sat among coaching staff during their loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

But Brady is also Fox's lead NFL analyst and has just started the second season of his 10-year, $375million contract. 

The sight of Brady in the booth led to fans raising questions about a potential conflict of interest or violation of the rules set forth by the NFL dictating what Brady can and cannot do in both these roles. 

Brady was spotted sitting among the offensive coaching staff while ESPN spoke about how he works with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly every week.

'Chip Kelly told us that he talks to Brady two to three times a week. They go through film, they go through the game plan, and Brady is a luxury for the coaches. Who else has an owner who's actually been there and done that,' said ESPN sideline reporter Peter Schrager.

However, in a statement provided to Daily Mail, the NFL remained adamant that Brady was not doing anything wrong.

NFL chief spokesman Brian McCarthy said: 'There are no policies that prohibit an owner from sitting in the coaches' booth or wearing a headset during a game. 

'Brady was sitting in the booth in his capacity as a limited partner. All personnel sitting in the booth must abide by policies that prohibit the use of electronic devices other than league-issued equipment such as a Microsoft Surface Tablet for the Sideline Viewing System.'

'Tom continues to be prohibited from going to a team facility for practices or production meetings,' McCarthy continued. 

'He may attend production meetings remotely but may not attend in person at the team facility or hotel. He may also conduct an interview off site with a player like he did last year a couple times, including for the Super Bowl.

'Of course, as with any production meeting with broadcast teams, it's up to the club, coach or players to determine what they say in those sessions.'

In the offseason, the NFL made an adjustment to the so-called 'Brady Rules' by allowing the former New England Patriots star to attend production meetings with teams he's commentating on. 

However, Brady remains barred from attending team practices. 

The video drew scorn from NFL fans across the league for what they believed to be a blatant flouting of fairness by having a commentator like Brady feeding information to his coaching staff.

For example, just this past weekend, Brady called a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. The Chiefs play in the AFC West, the same division as the Raiders, and will play Las Vegas twice this season.

Despite this adjustment to the rules, NFL fans slammed Brady for his actions on Monday evening.

'I know the [NFL] changed some rules for him when he is doing visits to broadcast. How is this still not a conflict of interest with his broadcasting duties and involvement as a partial owner who is actively coaching / contributing in the game?' commented one fan on X.

Another commented, 'Gotta be a rule somewhere this breaks.'

'How is that fair?' one Commanders fan wondered. 'Part owner who also happens to be a broadcaster who gets access to teams game plans and personnel throughout the season. If the Raiders were on my schedule no chance I’d let him. He just did our game last week [Week 1] and now we have the Raiders next week.'

Brady has commented two games so far this year: the aforementioned Eagles-Chiefs game and the New York Giants' season opener against the Washington Commanders. The Commanders and Raiders play in Week 3.

Meanwhile, Brady's Week 3 will be spent in the Windy City as he's set to call a late Sunday afternoon game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Chicago Bears.

Incidentally, the Bears play the Raiders in Week 4.