Is there a chance that Tom Brady, a New England Patriots legend and one of the greatest players in NFL history, will sign a deal to become a Fans Sportsbook ambassador? We’ve seen many other sports figures do the same, and on Friday, Brady shared an Instagram post that could hint at a potential partnership with Fanatics. Currently, there are seven online sports betting applications live in Massachusetts, and Fans is expected to join the mix soon.
Mary Brady will be close along with Fanatics TOP DOG Michael Rubin
As Fans Massachusetts prepares to go live, it’s worth noting that Tom Brady has had a partnership with Fans CEO Michael Rubin since their playing days. In 2020, while playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brady signed an exclusive deal with Fanatics, making them the sole distributor of his autographs, memorabilia, and other collectibles.
Brady spoke highly of Fans, stating that the brand is synonymous with authenticity and creates lasting memories beyond just merchandise. He mentioned their collaboration during the ALL IN Challenge, where athletes and celebrities donated prized possessions and offered unique experiences to raise funds during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Michael Rubin, CEO of Fanatics, referred to Brady as a “marketing machine” due to his popularity and jersey-selling prowess.
Brady recently shared an Instagram post showcasing his latest meet-up with Rubin. Alongside hip-hop artist Travis Scott, they met with the top four quarterbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft. The purpose of the meeting, according to Brady’s post, was to “pay it forward” and discuss what it takes to be the best.
Brady mentioned that Rubin invited him to Los Angeles to speak with Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis. They spent hours talking, learning, and discussing the ingredients necessary for success, which Brady believes include effort and constant discipline.
Brady the company man
Brady doesn’t have a deal with any sportsbook yet, but one of his former teammates, Rob Gronkowski, has a partnership with FanDuel. Gronkowksi appeared in FanDuel’s “Punch of Destiny” commercial during the most recent Super Bowl and was involved in various promotions and announcements leading up to the launch of Massachusetts’ gambling industry.
However, Gronkowski isn’t the only former Massachusetts sports figure with a gambling deal. David Ortiz, Zdeno Chara, and Brian Scalabrine also starred in a DraftKings Massachusetts “Bet Local” advertisement this spring.
While Brady may not have a sportsbook partnership, he has endorsements with other notable brands in various industries, including Aston Martin, Christopher Cloos, Under Armour, and T-Mobile.
Can a Fans Sportsbook collaboration be upward next?
Here’s where things could get tricky.
Earlier this month, news broke that Brady was in discussions to become a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. If Brady becomes a team owner and desires a sportsbook partnership, there could be conflicts.
Consider Michael Rubin, who was a minority owner of the Philadelphia 76ers. He sold his stake in Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment(the company that owns the 76ers and New Jersey Devils) last summer due to conflicts related to expanding the Fanatics brand into the gambling world.
However, let’s say Brady doesn’t become an NFL owner. In that case, a sportsbook collaboration would make sense, especially considering the success his former Patriots teammate enjoys with one.
It’s worth noting that in 2021, DraftKings hired Gisele Bündchen, Brady’s ex-wife, as a special advisor to the CEO for environmental and social initiatives. Brady is also set to be a broadcaster for FOX, which has previously partnered with Flutter, the parent company of FanDuel, for FOX Bet Sportsbook.
Given how much Brady values relationships in his deals and in life, it seems Fanatics may have the edge in this potential partnership.
It’s no secret that Brady is close with Rubin. The timing and location would make sense, as Fanatics Sportsbook is about to launch in the area where Brady became an NFL legend.
It would be a no-brainer for Fanatics, as having Brady as their Massachusetts sportsbook ambassador would be a significant and impactful move.