Star Power
March 19th, 2020
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
The NFL, above all, is a business and Tom Brady is good business.
We shouldn’t downplay the economic aspect of Brady’s arrival in Tampa, where hope springs eternal among a battered fan base longing for a reason to believe.
Bruce Arians coveted Brady because he’s the NFL’s ultimate winner under center, but the Glazers hopped aboard the No. 12 express in part because Brady will also have an immediate impact off the field.
He already has.
Season-ticket requests are flooding in and those empty suites at Raymond James Stadium will now be filled with curious and casual Buc fans. That’s what a Tom Brady brings, as opposed to a Philip Rivers or a Teddy Bridgewater.
It’s called star quality. The Bucs just aimed for the stars and nailed the landing. With one stroke of the pen, Raymond James Stadium will be a happening place this fall. There will be celebrity sightings on the suite level and Troy Aikman figures to be a regular visitor in the broadcast booth.
A happy practice break inside the Glazer Shed. Ira Kaufman suggests renaming it.
And don’t forget all those merchandise sales going through the roof of an indoor facility that should be renamed Bradyville. The Bucs will need expanded seating during outdoor practices at training camp to accommodate overflow crowds straining to see one of the most popular athletes in the world.
The Glazers brought a broad vision to this quest. They see Brady as a transformative addition, on and off the field. They see an irresistible brand to be marketed as the face of a suddenly dynamic franchise.
“I am a little disappointed to hear it’s the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because, let’s face it, that brand is not a very well-respected brand,” said former Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson, speaking to NBC Sports Boston. “They haven’t had relevancy for many, many years.”
They have it now — to an unprecedented degree around these parts.
Glazer Focus
This was a well-coordinated effort all the way around. Once Arians designated Brady as his free-agent target, the Glazers went to work, removing all potential obstacles. Jason Licht tied it all together with Brady’s representatives, resolving any money issues.
Goodbye Foxborough, hello Safety Harbor.
This isn’t the first time the Glazers landed a big fish, once again tuning out the naysayers. They were criticized for spending too much money ($192 million) to purchase the franchise in 1995. Eight years later, they were ripped in some quarters for paying dearly to trade for Jon Gruden. In 2005, the family set its sights on Manchester United and closed the deal.
For each of the past 12 years, Buc seasons ended with the turn of the December calendar. Coaches, GMs and players came and went, but the losing remained. Perhaps that was the subtle allure of Tampa Bay for Brady, an opportunity to turn around a woebegone franchise.
Without Bill Belichick’s help.
You can’t manufacture star quality. You either have it or you don’t.
Joe Namath has it. Eli Manning does not. Michael Jordan has it. Tim Duncan does not. Even though his physical skills have diminished, Brady remains a star.
He may not be able to fling a football 50 yards downfield on a string anymore, but he can still sell No. 12 jerseys like Namath used to. He can’t shed pass rushers like he did 10 years ago, but Brady knows how to handle himself in a crowd.
Winning More Than March
In a few years, Brady and Arians will ride off together in a golf cart. If Tampa Bay’s playoff drought is still intact at that point, 2020 free agency will be looked upon as a time when the Bucs took their shot and came up short on the field.
“It’s just not a franchise you think of as a championship caliber franchise,” Johnson said.
Fair enough, but things can change, especially with an additional playoff slot awarded in each conference. Off the field, this move is already a winner. Season-ticket sales are soaring, Brady jerseys will soon hit the streets and the Bucs will be on prime time more often than Ryan Seacrest.
Yes, the marketing of Tom Brady has already begun … and it’s a sight to behold.
Click on Ira’s nose to start shopping at Bill Currie Ford, Tampa’s first family of Ford for the past 60 years.
March 19th, 2020 at 6:58 am
To the Sage of Tampa from the great Buccaneer Prognosticator MadMax….Salute Mr. Kaufman! We got him! 🙂
March 19th, 2020 at 7:02 am
outstanding, i think and hope, at least for the next 2 seasons we are in the hunt, why there at it imho they have to draft a young QB and let him ride the pine, and learn from the goat
March 19th, 2020 at 7:03 am
It is awesome living in Chicago and hear people talk about the Bucs. Love seeing Pewter and Red all over the media.
March 19th, 2020 at 7:20 am
@james…Anthony Gordon in the 3rd or 4th if we decide to go there….but im thinking we wait until next draft….other HUGE needs during this one. And the great thing is we want have to worry about having someone sitting in the back ready to go….with JW, it seemed he couldnt handle someone competing against him. Bleh, all thats behind us now….moving forward.
March 19th, 2020 at 7:21 am
My friend and I literally bought tickets after the leak hit. Waited behind 6,000 people but boy it is worth it! First time ticket holder !!!
March 19th, 2020 at 7:21 am
The casual Buc fan will become a more dedicated fan…..women, in particular, will adopt the Bucs as their team.
JBF posters can question the move because of money or age or bypassing their other choice for QB…..but they can’t question the economics.
March 19th, 2020 at 7:34 am
Those Patriot fans 30 and under will finally see what life is like with a pedestrian QB. That’s pretty much all we’ve ever known around here. Can’t wait for the Packers to get a taste of reality as well someday.
March 19th, 2020 at 7:46 am
Very well written article, Ira. Because I’m a scared lil’ B when it comes to the Bucs ( couldn’t relax in the Super Bowl until Brooks’ pick 6 ), I’ll fully believe it when there’s a press conference with Brady, BA and JL standing together with the new # 12 jersey.
March 19th, 2020 at 7:52 am
You can’t compare the moves of Malcolm Glazer to the moves of the idiot sons. This franchise hasn’t been the same since Malcolm had to step down for health reasons.
March 19th, 2020 at 8:15 am
I look at it this way…If they are smart enough to sign Brady they are smart enough to draft a young QB for the future. They haven’t asked for my assistance yet, probably won’t. Go Bucs!
March 19th, 2020 at 8:22 am
Johnson must’ve forgotten how woefully horrible the Patriots were pre-Brady
March 19th, 2020 at 8:44 am
Florio and Simms name checking Ira on PFT.
March 19th, 2020 at 1:42 pm
I can’t wait for our fans to turn on the Bucs when Brady goes down. If I were Arians I’d be worried about getting a top tier backup at QB. You’re gonna need him. Mark my words guys.
March 19th, 2020 at 2:15 pm
Mike Johnson – dark clouds, rain, negativity.
Suns out man – come on!
March 19th, 2020 at 2:56 pm
79Bucs
I hear ya. LOL Yeah it’s not the Pat fans so much as the arrogant arsehole who coaches that team.
But Green Bay…oh noes! I certainly understand why you would feel that way the Pack was fortunate to land two HOF QB’ back to back. But I have a summer cottage on Michigan’s UP and that is a Pack Crazy part of the country. So I root for them as long as their victories do not impact the Bucs.
Also root for my former hometown team the Bungles. Lots easier to root for the Pack than the Bungles that’s for sure.
March 19th, 2020 at 6:01 pm
Mike
R U serious?
“I can’t wait for our fans to turn on the Bucs when Brady goes down.”
You misused the word “our”…you’re not one of us if you are rooting for Brady to go down as indicated in your post. Why would you root for Buc fans misery IF you are truly a Buc fan.
We get it…You don’t care about us…just “Blameless”. Luckily the internet frees you to join another fan group once JW FINALLY finds a job.
March 19th, 2020 at 6:12 pm
74Bucs,,Suns out now? Better buy that umbrella for when the old man goes down. You gonna give a guy on his way out the door 30 mil? You know why I luv
Bellacheat? he has always had this great sense to know when a player is at his end or is getting there. They made no effort at Brady for a reason. In our desperation we took the bait. This is gonna go down as one of our worst moves ever. its not going to end well. You will see.