NFL’s Roger Goodell Dismisses Tom Brady Conflict Concerns, Discusses Media Rights and Global Expansion

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed several pressing issues surrounding the league, ranging from questions about Tom Brady’s dual roles as broadcaster and minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders to the potential renegotiation of media rights and the future of international expansion. Goodell firmly dismissed concerns over Brady’s position, while also outlining the league’s growth strategy in both media and global markets.

Goodell on Tom Brady’s Ownership and Broadcasting Roles

The Commissioner directly tackled the ongoing debate over whether Brady, a national broadcaster, should be allowed access to the Raiders’ coaches’ box given his minority ownership stake in the team. Brady and his business partner, Tom Wagner, purchased roughly 10% of the Raiders last year.

“Teams have the right to say whatever they want to. They don’t have to disclose any information if they think it’s a conflict of interest,” Goodell said. “Teams don’t need to say anything. Sometimes they don’t say anything to somebody who’s not [a minority owner]. We get a lot of former players that are in [broadcast meetings] that are close to their former teams. I think our teams are pretty smart about saying, ‘I’m not sharing something with him.’”

Goodell emphasized that Brady’s role does not create an unfair advantage. “Where’s the conflict? He’s not hanging around in the facilities. We don’t allow that,” he added.

A football | Source: Pexels

Brady himself defended his position in a weekly newsletter, writing: “I love football. At its core it is a game of principles. And with all the success it has given me, I feel I have a moral and ethical duty to the sport, which is why the point where my roles in it intersect is not actually a point of conflict, despite what the paranoid and distrustful might believe.”

Media Rights Discussions Could Begin Early

Goodell confirmed that the league’s media rights renegotiations, originally not set for discussion until an opt-out clause in 2030, could begin as early as 2026. “I think our partners would want to sit down and talk to us at any time, and we continue to dialogue with them. I like that opportunity,” he said. “Obviously it’s not going to happen this year. But it could happen as early as next year. That could happen.”

International Expansion on the Horizon

The Commissioner also spoke about the NFL’s push into global markets. While he did not predict the timeline for a team outside the United States, he described international growth as “very, very attractive.”

Goodell acknowledged the possibility of a London-based franchise and cited ongoing lessons from international games. The Minnesota Vikings are scheduled to play consecutive international games — first against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin and then against the Cleveland Browns in London on October 5 — marking a league first.

“It starts to give you a sense of, can you do certain things that are going to be necessary from a scheduling standpoint and a training standpoint?” Goodell said. “When we first came up with the idea of [an international] regular season game, I didn’t think there would be as much support. But now, every team wants to do it. We don’t have to talk them into it. They’re asking us.”

A recent Week 1 game in Brazil, streamed free on YouTube, drew 16.2 million U.S. viewers and 1.1 million international fans, underscoring the league’s potential global reach.

A football game | Source: Pexels

YouTube Partnership and Younger Audiences

Goodell praised the NFL’s growing partnership with YouTube, which acquired Sunday Ticket from DirecTV three years ago. He highlighted the platform’s ability to engage younger demographics through innovations such as multiview streaming and creator-driven content.

Goodell dismissed suggestions that younger viewers are moving away from full games. “I know everyone says kids don’t watch. That’s not true, in our experience,” he said. “I think they may be watching with multiple screens or several devices. They’re watching their fantasy team or they’re watching some aspects of the game.”

Private Equity Ownership and Future Growth

Goodell also addressed the league’s private equity ownership policy, capped at 10% for select firms. While he has previously suggested openness to raising the threshold, he confirmed the league has made no moves yet. From disputes over ownership interests to the broader vision for international expansion and digital engagement, Goodell’s remarks reflect a league balancing tradition with the demands of modern growth — on and off the field