As the United Football League (UFL) nears the end of its 2025 season, the rumor mill is churning with a blockbuster possibility: NFL legend Tom Brady could become a UFL team owner. On May 7, 2025, UFL News Hub reported that the league is gearing up for a 2026 expansion, with trademarks filed for historic USFL franchises like the Oakland Invaders and Tampa Bay Bandits—both linked to Brady’s interest. With his $375 million FOX Sports contract reportedly including a clause for UFL ownership, and his ties to Tampa Bay and Oakland, this could be a game-changer for spring football. From his UFL broadcasting debut to his Las Vegas Raiders stake, Brady’s potential ownership could elevate the league’s profile. Let’s dive into this seismic development, its strategic fit, and what it means for the UFL’s future.
The UFL’s 2025 season, ending March 8, has been a proving ground for spring football, with eight teams drawing an average attendance of 12,684 fans per game, per ESPN. However, the league’s second year post-USFL-XFL merger has struggled with viewership (down 15% to 650K per FOX broadcast) and inconsistent market performance, prompting expansion talks. UFL News Hub’s Mark Perry cites trademark filings on May 6, 2024, for the Oakland Invaders, Tampa Bay Bandits, Philadelphia Stars, and New Jersey Generals, signaling a potential 2026 expansion to 10 teams, as mandated by the Department of Justice post-merger agreement. Amid this, Tom Brady’s rumored interest in owning a franchise—bolstered by his FOX ties and confirmed by sources—has sparked excitement about the league’s trajectory.
This is not a drill. Tom Brady is at the @USFLPanthers game today.
Was not what I was expecting on my bingo card for today. #UFL pic.twitter.com/mjoTzIS5Zq
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) May 18, 2024
Tom Brady’s UFL Connection
Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion, is no stranger to the UFL. In 2024, he practiced broadcasting during a Michigan vs. San Antonio game in Week 7, a warm-up for his $375 million, 10-year FOX deal, per @JamesLarsenPFN. He made his official UFL debut during the 2024 UFL Championship’s second quarter alongside Curt Menefee and Joel Klatt, later presenting the MVP trophy to Stallions QB Adrian Martinez. Sources tell UFL Newsroom that Brady’s FOX contract includes a clause for potential UFL ownership, aligning with FOX’s original plan to sell USFL franchises by 2026, per UFL News Hub. As a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders (7% stake, approved 2024, per ESPN), Brady’s football acumen and star power could transform a UFL franchise into a marquee attraction.
Look who’s in the booth 👀@TomBrady is in the booth for the first time as a member of @FOXSports at the UFL Championship 👏
Tune in now on FOX pic.twitter.com/wLoWzShlgx
— United Football League (@TheUFL) June 16, 2024
Oakland Invaders: A Strategic Fit
The Oakland Invaders, a 1983-85 USFL franchise, are a prime target for Brady. Oakland’s sports market is reeling after losing the NFL’s Raiders (2020) and MLB’s Athletics (2024), creating a passionate fanbase eager for a team, per SilverAndBlackPride.com. The UFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks success (40,500 average attendance) shows abandoned NFL cities can embrace spring football. Brady’s Bay Area ties—born in San Mateo, CA, and a Junipero Serra High alum—add local appeal. His Raiders ownership could draw Raiders fans from Oakland and Vegas, per @UFLBrazilNews. A potential venue, the Oakland Coliseum (63,026 capacity), offers infrastructure, though California’s labor laws pose challenges, as seen with the XFL’s Los Angeles Wildcats (2020). The Invaders’ trademark renewal suggests intent, but costs could limit feasibility without Brady’s financial pull.
Tampa Bay Bandits: Home Field Advantage
Tampa Bay, where Brady resides post his 2020-22 Buccaneers stint, is another rumored target. The Bandits, a 1983-85 USFL team, had modest success in the 2022 USFL reboot but flopped as the XFL’s Tampa Bay Vipers (average 12,000 fans), per Mark Perry. Brady’s involvement could revive the franchise at Raymond James Stadium (65,618 capacity), leveraging his Super Bowl LV legacy and local fanbase, per ProFootballNetwork.com. Tampa’s 17th-largest U.S. metro market (3.2 million people) offers scale, but past spring football failures raise doubts. Brady’s star power and FOX’s marketing could boost attendance, though competition with the NFL’s Buccaneers looms.
Strategic and Financial Implications
The UFL’s expansion to 10 teams in 2026 aligns with FOX’s five-year plan to sell franchises, initially set for the USFL in 2022, per UFL News Hub. The league’s $150 million annual budget, split between FOX and RedBird Capital, seeks profitable markets. Oakland and Tampa, with large metro populations and existing venues, fit this goal, per UFLNewsHub.com. Brady’s ownership would bring credibility, drawing sponsors and fans, as seen with Dwayne Johnson’s XFL role. His Raiders stake limits NFL conflicts, and the UFL’s lower costs ease ownership restrictions, per Marca.com. However, risks include Oakland’s high operating costs (California taxes) and Tampa’s history of low spring football turnout. Fan reactions on X are optimistic, with @58grfx noting Brady’s involvement could attract more owners, though @SpringFBnews cautions trademarks don’t guarantee expansion.
Challenges and Opportunities
Brady’s ownership faces hurdles. The UFL’s fluid nature—three coaching changes in 2025—signals instability, per UFL News Hub. Oakland’s labor laws and Tampa’s market saturation could deter investors without Brady’s clout. The league’s developmental focus limits national appeal, as Mark Perry argues fans prefer competitive teams over minor-league vibes. Yet, Brady’s involvement could shift this narrative, mirroring his NFL impact. A tentative expansion announcement at the 2025 UFL Championship halftime, per sources, could clarify Brady’s role. If successful, his franchise could boost the UFL’s 2026 viewership (target: 1 million per game) and set a precedent for celebrity ownership, per SI.com.
Tom Brady’s potential UFL ownership could be a turning point for spring football, with the Oakland Invaders and Tampa Bay Bandits as prime targets. His FOX contract, local ties, and Raiders stake make him a perfect fit to elevate the league’s profile. As the UFL eyes 2026 expansion, Brady’s star power could draw fans and investors, but challenges like costs and market viability loom. Will the NFL legend bring pro football back to Oakland, revive Tampa’s Bandits, or surprise us with another move?