Tom Brady treatment extends to Troy Aikman after taking new role before NFL season kicks off

The NFL will treat Troy Aikman just like Tom Brady now and it’s going to make their broadcasting jobs a lot harder.

Brady signed a massive 10-year, $375 million contract with Fox Sports. Then, when he became a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, the league told him he couldn't visit other teams' practices or sit in on their in-person meetings. He had to do everything virtually or meet players at a hotel down the street so he wouldn't get any "inside info."

Now, because former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman took a side job consulting for the Miami Dolphins, the NFL is extending those same rules to him for Monday Night Football. 

"The same parameters that pertained to Tom last season will continue this year and also will apply to Troy," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told Front Office Sports' Mark Maske.

Both Brady and Aikman may attend production meetings virtually but will have no access to practice facilities or practices. They may conduct interviews outside team facilities with football personnel and players, including at a team hotel in an area separate from other football staff. 

McCarthy added the league has had no issues with how Brady has operated under the setup, adding, "There have been no issues with Tom over the last two seasons. It is up to the coaches and clubs what they share with him."

The legendary Cowboys Hall of Famer spent his entire 12-year NFL playing career in Dallas, leading the franchise to three Super Bowl titles and retiring with a then-franchise-record 32,942 passing yards.

Because of that connection to Dallas, Aikman chose the local "Dallas Dialogue with Dale" show to address his new consulting role with the Miami Dolphins. He noted that the schedule aligns well for him since the Dolphins lack any Monday Night Football appearances this season, completely avoiding a conflict of interest with his broadcasting duties. 

Furthermore, the six-time Pro Bowler confirmed he discussed the role directly with Commissioner Roger Goodell, who raised no objections, though the former quarterback acknowledged that industry relationships inherently create a certain level of scrutiny.

With the preseason underway and kickoff for the regular season approaching, both Tom Brady and Troy Aikman will call games this fall under identical NFL access rules. One will analyze games from the booth for Fox Sports, the other for ESPN, with selected restrictions.

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