Irsay: Brady is getting too steep of a discount
NEW YORK — Conspicuously absent from last Sunday’s Patriots-Raiders game in Las Vegas was Tom Brady, who is attempting to buy a minority share of the Raiders.
Brady’s deal has not been approved by NFL owners, and Wednesday morning at their meetings in midtown Manhattan, Colts owner Jim Irsay said the league’s Finance Committee believes that Raiders owner Mark Davis is offering Brady too steep of a discount.
Irsay, one of seven owners on the committee, confirmed a Washington Post report that Davis is offering Brady 10 percent of the team, which was recently valued by Forbes at $6 billion. Minority shares in a team often come at a discount since they don’t come with any voting power, but Davis’s offer may be too generous for other NFL owners.
“We’re trying to work it through,” said Irsay. “The number just has to be a reasonable number for purchase price from Tom, is the only thing. If reasonable value says . . . that 10 percent should be $525 million, you can’t pay $175 million.”
Davis declined comment Wednesday.
A league source also said that Brady’s deal to become the lead analyst for Fox Sports in 2024 is complicating the purchase, as not everyone in the league is comfortable with a minority team owner also broadcasting games. Brady also may become a Raiders front office employee as part of his deal, which would make it even more awkward to be calling games for Fox.
The next opportunity for owners to approve Brady’s deal is at their winter meetings Dec. 12-13 in Irving, Texas.
Goodell extended
Commissioner Roger Goodell received his long-anticipated contract extension.
“The Compensation Committee updated the full ownership today that an agreement has been reached to extend commissioner Roger Goodell’s contract for three years, through March 2027,” the league announced in a statement.
A person familiar with the details told the Associated Press that Goodell’s deal includes clauses for extension or succession. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because details weren’t released.
Goodell’s current contract was set to expire in spring 2024.
Financial terms of Goodell’s new contract weren’t immediately known. Goodell reportedly earned $63.9 million for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.
The 64-year-old Goodell has served as commissioner since succeeding Paul Tagliabue in 2006. He began his NFL career as an administrative intern in 1982.
Murray practices
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray — almost always a man of few words — announced the next step in his return from an ACL injury with a two-word statement.
“Practicing today,” Murray posted on social media.
A few minutes later, the Cardinals made if official, announcing that Murray has been designated to return from the physically unable to perform list. The Cardinals can activate Murray to the 53-man roster at any time during the next 21 days.
Murray got hurt against the Patriots on Dec. 12 — a little more than 10 months ago. He was flushed out of the pocket and running to his right when he tried to fake out a defender, but tumbled to the grass in pain.
The two-time Pro Bowl selection signed a $230.5 million contract that could keep him with the franchise until 2028.
Richardson surgery
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson has taken the final snap of his rookie season, opting for season-ending surgery on his injured throwing shoulder.
Coach Shane Steichen confirmed the decision before practice.
The 6-foot-4-inch, 244-pound Richardson suffered a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder at the end of a short run Oct. 8 against the Titans.
Watson not ready
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson still can’t practice with a bruised rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder, an injury that has kept him out of two games and potentially more. Watson spoke publicly for the first time since Sept. 27 on Wednesday. The three-time Pro Bowl selection confirmed he’s dealing with a “tricky” injury to his right shoulder and said it’s impossible to gauge when he’ll be back on the field. “It can be tomorrow, it could be Sunday, it can be two weeks from now,” he said. “I’m not even sure. I can’t put a timeline on anything right now.” . . . Giants quarterback Daniel Jones practiced for the first time since hurting his neck Oct. 8 at Miami, but his status for Sunday’s game against the Commanders remains uncertain because he has not been cleared for contact . . . The Jets are trading seldom-used receiver
Mecole Hardman back to the Chiefs, a person with knowledge of the deal told the AP. Hardman, who signed with the Jets as a free agent in March, returns to the team with which he played his first four seasons and helped win two Super Bowls. The deal includes the Jets sending a seventh-round pick in the 2025 draft to the Chiefs for a sixth-rounder.