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Tom Brady will officially step into the broadcasting booth in 2024, but he will be replacing a fan-favorite.
Per Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports, Brady confirmed that he will be joining Fox as the network’s lead NFL game analyst for the 2024 season. Former tight end Greg Olsen, who excelled in the role this season, will drop down to the No. 2 crew.
Brady will be working alongside Fox’s No. 1 play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt. The expectation is that Olsen will call games with Joe Davis.
“I believe I can provide a pretty unique perspective that I think a lot of people will really like. It’s going to be a lot of hard work. It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Brady told McCarthy. “It’s always about challenging yourself to grow in different areas. And this is certainly one way that I’m doing it.”
The legendary quarterback signed a 10-year, $375 million contract with Fox in May 2022, but there was a lack of clarity as to when he’ll be ready to join the network as its top color commentator. He took a “gap year” after his retirement to prepare for the position.
Brady said he has already “developed a great rapport” with Burkhardt. McCarthy pointed out that a three-man booth would have been an option similar to how Fox brought Troy Aikman along with Joe Buck and Cris Collinsworth 22 years ago. Olsen earned praise throughout this season, leading some to believe that he deserved to remain with the lead broadcast team.
“I love Greg. Greg’s done an incredible job and he’s got a great future and great career. Obviously already had one as a player, had one as a broadcaster, and anything Greg puts his mind to, he’s going to be incredibly successful as well,” Brady said.
Brady has met with Fox executives and his new colleagues like Erin Andrews. He’s also reached out to other broadcasters like Aikman for advice.
“A lot of studying, a lot of research, a lot of talking to a lot of friends who are in the business and that have gone through their own growing pains,” he said of his prep. “Reaching out to some of the best in the industry that have given me some great advice and then just going in there and just doing dry runs and practice. It’s been really fun. It’s been a different challenge. Fortunately, I think there’s a database of knowledge that’s been built up over 23 years of sitting in meeting rooms and being in game-plan meetings.”
