It’s not every day that you hear about a former player becoming an NFL team owner, but when you’ve dominated the league for over two decades like Tom Brady, you’re bound to keep making headlines—even after retirement. Just recently, Brady joined an exclusive club of NFL players who have gone from the field to the boardroom. His latest move? Acquiring a 10% stake in the Las Vegas Raiders.
As exciting as this is, Brady isn’t the first player to cross into team ownership. Let’s take a look at the former NFL players who transitioned from playing the game to owning a piece of it.
1) Tom Brady – Las Vegas Raiders
It’s official—Brady is now a part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. After months of waiting for the NFL’s 32 owners to approve the deal, his 10% stake was green-lit on Tuesday, marking his entrance into the exclusive world of NFL ownership. Brady’s deal was set in motion back in June 2023, when Raiders owner Mark Davis reached an agreement with him and Brady’s business partner, Tom Wagner.
Brady’s presence in Las Vegas makes sense beyond just football. It ties into his growing post-retirement business ventures, including sports partnerships and endorsements. Joining the Raiders not only allows him to stay close to the sport he loves but also strengthens his already impressive business portfolio. He now adds “team owner” to a resume that includes seven Super Bowl rings.
2) Richard Seymour – Las Vegas Raiders
Surprisingly, Tom Brady isn’t the only former player with a stake in the Las Vegas Raiders. Hall of Famer and former defensive end Richard Seymour also became part of the Raiders’ ownership. Seymour, who was teammates with Brady during their days at the New England Patriots, spent four seasons playing for the Raiders after his time in New England.
Davis sold Seymour a 0.5% stake in the team, making him a co-owner alongside Brady. After team owners approved his purchase, Seymour took to social media to share his gratitude, writing, “I’m deeply grateful—humbled and honored—to become a NFL owner. This is the mission of a lifetime, and I accept it with both purpose and pride.”
I’m deeply grateful—humbled and honored—to become a NFL owner. This is the mission of a lifetime, and I accept it with both purpose and pride. With great opportunity comes great responsibility. And I pledge to be a worthy steward of our game—and all it makes possible. @Raiders
— Richard Seymour (@BigSey93) October 15, 2024
Seymour, a three-time Super Bowl champion, is no stranger to making history, and now he’s part of shaping the future of one of the NFL’s most storied franchises.
3) George Halas – Chicago Bears
George Halas didn’t just play football—he helped create the NFL as we know it. Known as one of the founding fathers of professional football, Halas took over the Decatur Staleys in 1921 and moved the team to Chicago, where they became the Chicago Bears. Before that, he served as a player-coach for the team during the league’s early days, known as the American Professional Football Association.
Halas played for the Bears and served as their head coach for 40 seasons, securing his place in NFL history. His ownership of the Bears spanned from 1921 until his passing in 1983. Under Halas, the Bears became one of the most iconic franchises in the league, winning eight NFL championships before the Super Bowl era even began.
4) Jerry Richardson – Carolina Panthers
Jerry Richardson is another player who transitioned from NFL star to NFL team owner, but his journey took a slightly different path. Richardson played just two seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver for the Baltimore Colts, winning a championship in 1959. After leaving the league, he turned his success on the field into success in business.
Richardson used his NFL bonus money to start a thriving restaurant business; decades later, in 1987, he set his sights on owning an NFL franchise. His dream became a reality in 1993 when the Carolina Panthers were awarded an expansion franchise. Richardson owned the team until 2018 when he sold it for $2.2 billion. While his time as an owner ended amid controversy, Richardson’s impact on the Panthers is undeniable—he was instrumental in bringing professional football to the Carolinas.
5) John Stallworth – Pittsburgh Steelers
Hall of Fame wide receiver John Stallworth spent 14 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he became one of the most celebrated players in franchise history. Known for his clutch performances in four Super Bowl victories, Stallworth made his mark as a key member of the Steelers dynasty of the 1970s.
After hanging up his cleats, Stallworth transitioned into a successful business career, and in 2009, he returned to the Steelers—this time as an owner. He joined the team’s ownership group and has remained involved ever since, continuing to help shape the future of the team he once starred for on the field.
6) Warrick Dunn – Atlanta Falcons
Former Pro Bowl running back Warrick Dunn is known not just for his football prowess but also for his philanthropy. Dunn played 12 seasons in the NFL, splitting his career between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons. His connection to the Falcons remained strong after his retirement in 2008, and in 2009, Falcons owner Arthur Blank offered Dunn the chance to become a limited partner in the franchise.
At first, Dunn was hesitant, but eventually, he accepted the offer and joined the ownership group. Now, as part-owner of the Falcons, Dunn continues to impact the game in ways beyond just his on-field achievements.
