Hour 4 - Clickity Clickity Clickity

Tom Brady, now a part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and the highest-paid broadcaster in NFL history at $375 million, has a one-word response to criticism of his television work: "clickbait." He told critics they "have no idea what they're really glomming on to" and are "simply throw[ing] speculation into the world to see what sticks." Ben Maller's reaction is less diplomatic: "This sounds like a jumbo sized bag of fooie."

The Brady Broadcasting Contradiction

Maller zeroes in on the irony of Brady's position. The former quarterback built his career on the "Patriot Way" mantra of "do your job." Now, as a broadcaster, his message has shifted to "don't review my job." Maller argues that taking $375 million to talk football makes you eligible for criticism, and that seven Super Bowl rings don't grant "diplomatic immunity." He compares the situation to a chef complaining when customers review his food.

The conflict of interest is also in play. Brady owns part of the Raiders while calling games for Fox, creating restrictions on what he can say and how he can prepare. Maller dismisses Brady's defense as "jockocracy gone wild"—former athletes receiving enormous television contracts while delivering uneven performances.

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