Tom Brady’s impending move to FOX Sports will see current commentator Greg Olsen suffer a $7million decrease in his salary as he will be dropped from the leading booth to make room for the iconic NFL legend, reports claim.
Last week, Brady announced his retirement from the NFL after 23 seasons. He won seven Super Bowls over an illustrious career that spanned two decades with the New England Patriots - where he won six of his championships - and three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning Super Bowl LV.
Brady is preparing for the next chapter of his life where he will enter the commentary booth with FOX Sports after signing a blockbuster deal with the broadcaster last year. The network signed a 10-year contract worth $375mm (£306m) when he made his original retirement 12 months ago.
FOX Sports initially thought Brady would join their roster last year after he retired only to sensationally reverse his decision just 40 days later. Brady has reportedly informed the broadcaster he will get to work in the booth in the 2024 season - but this spells bad news for current FOX Sports analysis Greg Olsen.
According to USA Today, Brady’s move to the booth will reportedly mean Olsen’s salary will drop from $10m to $3m as the former quarterback will take his place in the number one team. Olsen would move to the number two booth.
Last offseason, Olsen signed his contract shortly after FOX Sports announced Brady would join the network. Olsen’s contract could be worth $50m over five years if he remains in the leading booth, but it would have fallen to $22m over the same length had Brady started this season.
Now, Olsen will receive at least $29m over those five years. The 37-year-old - considered one of the great modern tight ends - also has an opt-out once Brady arises and he is relegated should he receive the opportunity to be the lead NFL game analyst for another network.
As he called Super Bowl LVII, Olsen criticised the officials for their decision to throw a flag on Philadelphia Eagles defensive back James Bradberry in the fourth quarter, which allowed the Kansas City Chiefs to kick a late field goal and lift the Vince Lombardi trophy.
NFL fans praised Olsen for speaking out amid criticism of other announcers' reluctance to call out officials for perceived missed calls. Olsen and his play-by-player partner Kevin Burkhardt were calling their first Super Bowl for FOX after Joe Buck and Troy Aikman joined ESPN before the 2022 season.
The next time FOX will have the rights to air the Super Bowl will be 2025 - Super Bowl LIX - by which point Brady is expected to be the network's top commentator.
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