Brady’s retirement is a watershed moment for the NFL. While the league is substantially stronger than the NBA was after Michael Jordan’s various retirements (in 1993, 1999 and 2003), it is to at least some extent reliant on Brady as one of its key draws — along with the Cowboys, Packers and Patrick Mahomes.
NFL ratings took a noticeable hit after the retirement of Peyton Manning in 2016, and Brady’s absence figures to leave a void for the league’s TV partners next season. Eleven of the Buccaneers’ 17 regular season games this season aired in at least half of television markets, including nine that went to at least 80% of the country. Keep in mind Tampa Bay was rarely in the major national games before Brady’s arrival two years ago.
The Buccaneers were one of five teams to play at least 11 games that were televised in a majority of markets, joining the Packers (16), Cowboys (15) and Chiefs (14) and Steelers (11). Tampa Bay figures to get far fewer national games next season.
Brady retires