There was once an understanding that if you worked directly for an NFL franchise, you couldn\u2019t also be a broadcaster.<\/p>\n
That understanding went out the window with Tom Brady, who is the face of Fox\u2019s NFL coverage while also owning (and having a significant say in the hiring processes for) the Las Vegas Raiders. While few people around the league seem to have an issue with any potential conflict of interest, we\u2019ll see how they feel about that if the Raiders ever get good under Brady\u2019s watch.<\/p>\n
While Brady might have been considered a one-of-one scenario, ESPN\u2019s Troy Aikman was hired by the Miami Dolphins during the season to help in its general manager and head coaching search<\/a>. Now that the team has hired Aikman\u2019s preferred candidate<\/a>, he now has a vested interest in the franchise not only doing well but in that coach seeming like a smart hire, which raises questions about how he\u2019ll cover the Dolphins<\/a> on Monday Night Football.<\/p>\n Matt Ryan was the latest NFL broadcaster to reach across the aisle and join forces with an NFL team\u2019s front office. The longtime Atlanta Falcons quarterback was named the team\u2019s president of football operations last month<\/a>. At the time, he was working for CBS Sports as an analyst<\/a>, and given the situations for Brady and Aikman, there was speculation that he might continue in that role while working for the Falcons.<\/p>\n Turns out, that was never an option.<\/p>\n