⁠After Tom Brady sat in the coaching box wearing a headset during the Las Vegas Raiders’ home game, criticism quickly arose due to his dual role as a TV expert. However, according to the NFL, he did not violate any rules.

It was the controversy of the game day: Tom Brady sat in the coaching box at the end of his Las Vegas Raiders’ game day, wearing a headset to follow the communication between coaches and the team during the game.

The problem is obvious: the former superstar quarterback is a minority owner of the Raiders and a TV expert at FOX, which critics say creates a conflict of interest. While Brady has exclusive access to other franchises as an expert, he can use this information to help the Raiders with their game plan, for example.

However, the league stated on Tuesday that Brady had not broken any rules: “There are no rules prohibiting a team owner from sitting in the coaching booth or wearing a headset during a game,” said NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy.

Tom Brady is subject to certain restrictions

However, Brady is subject to certain restrictions: as a team owner, he is not allowed to attend team training or production meetings on site. He only participates remotely in the meetings with players and coaches that are customary for TV productions.

Nevertheless, after TV images of Brady wearing a headset were broadcast, speculation about a more active role was not long in coming. Raiders coach Pete Carroll immediately contradicted this, however: “Tom doesn’t plan plays with us. Our conversations are casual and unstructured. He respects his role and doesn’t want to exert any influence.”

Tom Brady is said to be in regular contact with OC Chip Kelly

Nevertheless, Brady remains a sought-after contact within the club: General Manager John Spytek praised Brady’s assessments of squad issues as “invaluable” back in April. According to ESPN, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly also speaks to him two to three times a week, although Carroll put this into perspective: “We talk, but the report is exaggerated.”

Brady will be commentating on the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears game for FOX next week. The Raiders’ opponents the following week? The Chicago Bears. The discussions are therefore unlikely to die down any time soon.