Tom Brady may be retired from the NFL, but his name continues to dominate headlines. This week, the seven-time Super Bowl champion found himself at the center of a wild story claiming he had been paid a staggering $75 million to play flag football in Saudi Arabia. The rumors spread like wildfire, fueled by speculation on sports shows and social media.
However, Brady himself wasted little time responding, and his reaction made it clear just how absurd he found the claim.
Why Did a $75 Million Flag Football Rumor Go Viral?
It all started when talk shows and online personalities began tossing around the eye-popping figure. The narrative suggested that Brady, who already has a lucrative broadcasting deal and numerous business ventures, added another massive payday by participating in a flag football event overseas.
How much money for @BarstoolGruden and @gregolsen88 to go coach/play flag football in Saudi Arabia?
“If I could coach Tom Brady in flag football I’ll do it for free, that would be a great experience since I’m the guy that turned him down in Las Vegas…” – @BarstoolGruden pic.twitter.com/frDSLjVgIp
— Wake Up Barstool (@wakeupbarstool) September 22, 2025
The story was repeated with such confidence that many fans started to wonder if it might actually be true. Even former coach Jon Gruden and analyst Greg Olsen were dragged into the conversation, joking about what price they would put on suiting up for a flag football game in Saudi Arabia.
Gruden quipped that if he had the chance to coach Brady in flag football, he would do it for free, given their past connection when the Raiders reportedly passed on signing the quarterback.
Meanwhile, Olsen played along with the hypothetical, laughing at the number and the growing fascination with flag football as an international showcase sport.
How Did Tom Brady Shut Down the Speculation?
Rather than ignore the chatter, Brady took to social media to set the record straight. In classic tongue-in-cheek fashion, he mocked the report by comparing it to other outlandish “breaking news” headlines.
“Are we just picking numbers out of a hat and reporting them?” Brady wrote. “While we’re breaking news… Elvis is doing the halftime show, and Babe Ruth is gonna sign some autographs for fans. Also I heard Dave prefers floppy pizza. Who cares about facts right?”
Are we just picking numbers out of a hat and reporting them?
While we’re breaking news… Elvis is doing the halftime show, and babe Ruth is gonna sign some autographs for fans. Also I heard Dave prefers floppy pizza. Who cares about facts right? 😂 https://t.co/1pBq2FTj49
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) September 22, 2025
The sarcastic response quickly went viral, with fans applauding Brady for shutting down the rumor in a humorous way. This situation also underscored how quickly misinformation can spiral in today’s sports media landscape, especially when tied to high-profile figures like Brady.
Even though Brady retired after the 2022 season, his influence on the game remains enormous. He is already a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and one of the lead analysts for Fox Sports.
With a record seven Super Bowl wins and five Super Bowl MVP awards, his legacy is cemented, but his continued presence in the spotlight draws attention, sometimes in very unusual ways.
While the idea of Brady pocketing $75 million for flag football was entertaining, his quick dismissal proves the story was nothing more than speculation. For now, Brady remains focused on his post-football career, while also reminding fans and media alike not to believe everything they hear.
