Tom Brady Will Not Retire, But Become a Football Commentator, Sparking Memes

It was revealed on Tuesday that Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, often considered the greatest football player of all time, has signed a contract with Fox Sports to become a broadcaster and NFL analyst for the network as soon as he stops playing the sport professionally.

The contract, which is purportedly the largest ever signed for a sports broadcaster, is for $375 million over the course of 10 years. His new gig will start whenever Brady chooses to retire, and he will call games on television and serve as a “brand ambassador.”

Tom Brady's broadcasting deal with Fox Sports is for 10 years and $375 million, per @nypost.

It's the largest contract in sportscasting history -- DOUBLING Tony Romo and Troy Aikman's annual average. pic.twitter.com/gt3CHaYw4B

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) May 10, 2022

at some point there will be one off season week without tom brady news but this is not that week

— darth™ (@darth) May 10, 2022

Brady, who retired for a brief period during the off-season before un-retiring and deciding to play another season with the Buccaneers, is the oldest active NFL player. Many football fans on social media platforms like Twitter joked about Brady’s age and speculated that he would continue playing indefinitely.

FOX: Tom when are you going to fulfill the terms of our agreement?
Tom Brady at 72: Not done yet! LFGGGGG pic.twitter.com/axotss9U83

— Thomas Carrieri (@Thomas_Carrieri) May 10, 2022

Others mocked Brady’s choice to continue working, joking that it must make him sad to be at home with his children and wife.

Tom Brady spent a month with his family and said never again lmao https://t.co/zvxXrqnrGN

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) May 10, 2022

Many looked forward to Brady’s career as a broadcaster, excited to hear his commentary on the game and glad that his association with football will continue.

Tom Brady signing the FOX contract pic.twitter.com/nR9Igpao90

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) May 10, 2022

Tom Brady analyzing Archie Manning's MVP highlights in 2035 pic.twitter.com/JrrSenVfdC

— LJ 410 (@billycundiff00) May 10, 2022

Tom Brady walking into Fox studios for his first day pic.twitter.com/rpdz4vtRmH

— Annie Agar (@AnnieAgar) May 10, 2022

A few, however, seemed to dread the continued dominance of Brady, who has won seven Super Bowls and been an outsize presence in the sport for decades.

Tom Brady is going to be the first player-owner-broadcaster-snake oil salesman

— Justis Mosqueda (#1 draft class haver) (@JuMosq) May 10, 2022

Brady himself, meanwhile, appears occupied with preparations for this next season, tweeting that he was already “back to work.”

Back to work. pic.twitter.com/bjMIfiUtPE

— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) May 9, 2022