Tom Brady Addresses Claim He Was Paid $75M To 'Unretire' For Flag Football Tournament In Saudi Arabia
By Favour Adegoke on September 23, 2025 at 9:45 PM EDT
Tom Brady is setting the record straight after Dave Portnoy claimed he's cashing in $75 million to "unretire" and play flag football in Saudi Arabia.
The former NFL quarterback brushed off the rumor with a string of sarcastic remarks that suggested Portnoy's figure was way off.
In response, the Barstool Sports founder didn't back down from his claim and called on Tom Brady to come on his show to discuss more.
The Former NFL Star Fired Back With Sarcastic Replies
Brady has shut down rumors that he is pocketing $75 million to take part in a Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Saudi Arabia.
The speculation started after Dave Portnoy mentioned the figure during a Monday morning segment of "Wake Up Barstool."
"Who cares about facts, right?" Brady said about Portnoy's claim, before adding, "Are we just picking numbers out of a hat and reporting them?"
The former NFL quarterback then doubled down on his sarcastic remark by tossing out a string of outrageous claims about other celebrities to highlight the absurdity of Portnoy's report.
"While we're breaking news... Elvis is doing the halftime show, and Babe Ruth is gonna sign some autographs for fans," Brady joked, per TMZ, before sneaking in a jab at Portnoy: "Also, I heard Dave prefers floppy pizza."
Following Brady's sharp reply, Portnoy attempted to deflect responsibility, insisting he had only mentioned the figure because "that's the number I was told."
He then extended an invitation for Brady to appear on the show to discuss further, although it remains unclear whether the NFL legend will accept the offer.
Dave Portnoy Previously Called Tom Brady A 'Money Wh-re'
The back-and-forth between Brady and Portnoy comes just days after the Barstool Sports founder labeled the former New England Patriots quarterback a "money wh-re" for choosing to come out of retirement to take part in the tournament.
"Brady's a wh-re, a money wh-re, like he's doing everything and I don't think he's kinda found his lane," Portnoy said during his appearance on "The Unnamed Show," per the Daily Mail.
He added that it wasn't surprising Brady would accept the alleged $75 million, given the enormity of the amount.
"Having said that, I don't know that there's anyone who would turn down that much money for one second," Portnoy continued.
The Legendary Quarter Back Is Likely Making A Lot Of Money For His Appearance
The exact amount Brady is pocketing for the event remains a mystery as the former footballer didn't reveal the detail when he responded to Portnoy's claim.
But with Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority known for splashing out huge sums to lure top talent, it's safe to say the NFL legend is earning a hefty payday when he participates in the tournament.
The tournament is scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 21, 2026, and will mark Brady's first competitive football appearance since announcing his retirement two years ago.
Tom Brady Will Be Joined By NFL Legends And Current Stars At The Tournament
The seven-time Super Bowl champion will be joined by other legends of the game, including his former New England Patriots teammate Rob Gronkowski.
Current NFL stars such as Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, CeeDee Lamb, Maxx Crosby, Sauce Gardner, and Myles Garrett will also participate in the tournament, which will feature just three teams.
These teams will be led by Las Vegas Raiders coach Pete Carroll, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton, and San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan in a 5-on-5 format, with two 20-minute halves.
Meanwhile, the games are expected to be played on a 50-yard field with two 10-yard end zones, ensuring that there is more action and less running room.
Tom Brady Says He Wants To Help Flag Football Grow
Speaking during a press conference to promote the tournament, Brady expressed his desire to help Flag Football gain more popularity.
"I've always admired the power of flag football, the fastest-growing sport in the world, and how it connects fans of all ages. And I want to help continue the global movement in momentum that our game is having," Brady said.
He described the Fanatics tournament as a "first of its kind" and promised it would "expose even more fans to our great game while bringing them face to face with some of the biggest stars."
He added, "Flag football is going to be part of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. So this is an important time to continue taking the game to new places."
