How retirement made Tom Brady richer

February 9, 2026 Oliver Obel

As the Super Bowl draws a global audience, most attention is directed toward the players still competing for a championship. This year, however, one of the NFL’s most influential figures will be watching from the broadcast booth rather than the field.

Tom Brady, whose career helped shape an era of professional football, has entered a new phase—one that keeps him firmly connected to the league while placing him on the other side of the microphone.

The Super Bowl beyond the game

With the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks meeting at Levi’s Stadium, the NFL once again stages its most prominent annual event. Beyond the matchup itself, the Super Bowl also serves as a showcase for the league’s broader ecosystem, where competition, entertainment and business intersect.

The event regularly draws on the presence of familiar names to reinforce continuity and maintain audience engagement. Few figures embody that approach more clearly than Brady.

Closing a historic playing career

Brady retired from the NFL in 2023 after a final season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He left the sport with seven Super Bowl titles, the most by any player in league history, and a résumé that made him a central reference point in discussions about greatness.

Over more than two decades, his success helped define the New England Patriots’ dominance and elevated the league’s global profile.

Moving from the field to the booth

Retirement did not mark a departure from the NFL. Soon after stepping away from competition, Fox Sports announced that Brady would join its coverage as lead NFL analyst, with his debut expected during the network’s upcoming broadcast cycle.

“We are pleased to announce that immediately following the conclusion of his playing career, seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady will join us at Fox Sports as our lead analyst,” Fox Corporation CEO Lachlan Murdoch said in a statement.

For broadcasters, former star players bring credibility and insight, qualities that are increasingly valuable as networks compete for viewers across traditional television and digital platforms.

A record-setting broadcasting deal

According to U.S. media reports, Fox’s agreement with Brady is valued at $375 million over 10 years, or $37.5 million per season. The contract makes him the highest-paid sports commentator to date.

The deal also highlights a sharp contrast with his playing income. Across 22 NFL seasons, Brady earned approximately $332.9 million in total, an average of about $15.1 million per year. In broadcasting, his annual earnings are set to exceed that figure by more than $22 million.

A lasting presence in the NFL

As the Super Bowl unfolds, Brady will no longer influence the outcome on the field. His role off it, however, underscores how the NFL’s most prominent figures continue to shape the league’s business and storytelling long after their playing careers end.

Sources: Fox Sports, U.S. media reports