Ex-Raiders coach Antonio Pierce: 'Foolish' to think Tom Brady not sharing info from Fox broadcasts with team
Former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce isn't believing the notion that minority team owner and Fox broadcaster Tom Brady being in the coaches' box during games isn't a concern for other NFL teams.
During an interview with Adam Schein on SiriusXM's Mad Dog Radio, Pierce said Brady's presence with the Raiders and role with Fox is "unprecedented."
I think I would be uncomfortable if it was the other way around, to be honest with you," Pierce said. "Because you're not dealing with just a normal person. Tom Brady is the elite of the elite, one of the greatest quarterbacks, one of the greatest players in the game - played against him obviously, student of the game.
"It's not hard for him to watch a few plays on a Friday practice or hear things in a production meeting and think, 'Hmm,' and have tidbits," he continued. "And it would be foolish to think that he's not going to share that with the Raiders."
I know he was a great asset for us with the Raiders when I was there and I think he'll still be a great asset as he's going forward & I think this does help him out in the Raiders."
- Mad Dog Sports Radio (@MadDogRadio) September 18, 2025
Former Raiders HC @AntonioPierce joined @AdamSchein & weighed in on the Tom Brady controversy pic.twitter.com/mgBYpQC7VT
Pierce may well have a grudge against the Raiders for firing him after coaching the team to a 4-13 record last season. So any criticism he has against team ownership and the front office probably needs to be considered here.
However, he does have some insight into what input Brady provides to game-planning when it involves a team that he's watched and coaches he's spoken with while covering them for Fox, in addition to his experience as a seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
"I know he was a great asset for us with the Raiders when I was there," Pierce added. "And I think he'll still be a great asset as he's going forward and I think this does help him out, and the Raiders."
Brady's involvement with the team has only increased since Pierce was fired, according to the former coach, taking part in training camp, OTAs and draft preparations.
Raiders minority team owner Tom Brady in coaching box tonight.
- Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) September 16, 2025
Can't attend Sunday games with FOX broadcast gig but MNF he can. Raiders OC Chip Kelly consults Brady 2-3x a week, per broadcast. pic.twitter.com/3WjK3KmarT
The uproar over Brady's dual roles presenting a conflict of interest got louder after Brady was seen in the coaches' box wearing a headset and at least listening in on staff communications during Monday night's matchup between the Raiders and Chargers.
As Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein pointed out, Brady will call games involving six of the Raiders' regular-season opponents. At the very least, him being in the coaches' box presents the impression of giving the team a possible competitive advantage.
The NFL attempted to address the situation, saying that Brady was permitted in the coaches' box in his role as part-owner. But he still has to abide by restrictions on what sorts of equipment and communications he can utilize during a game. Yet that doesn't answer the question of a conflict of interest with a team owner gaining special access as Fox's No. 1 color analyst.
Concerns about Brady giving the Raiders a competitive advantage likely won't quiet down, especially if he's seen in the coaches' box with a headset in future games and the Raiders begin winning more games. If one or more of those questions come from a fellow NFL team owner, the league will have to do more than issue a statement on social media.