Raiders owner recalls little of Brady-to-Vegas rumors

Las Vegas Review-Journal

2 years ago

Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) laughs with football quarterback Tom Brady, center, durin ... — Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) laughs with football quarterback Tom Brady, center, during a WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun at Michelob ULTRA Arena on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, in Las Vegas. Behind them are Gov. Steve Sisolak, second from left, and Las Vegas Aces owner Mark Davis, second from right. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Raiders owner Mark Davis smiles during an interview after an NFL meeting where the team owners voted to make Las Vegas the host city of Super Bowl 58 in 2024 at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, in Irving, Texas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFang

Raiders and Aces owner Mark Davis said Sunday he doesn’t remember particulars of a deal that would have brought quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski to Las Vegas in 2020.

UFC president Dana White said Saturday that former Raiders coach Jon Gruden blocked a deal that would have had the star New England Patriots duo land with the Raiders.

Gruden did not return phone calls or texts for comment from the Review-Journal on Saturday or Sunday.

Brady ultimately signed with the Buccaneers as a free agent and was later joined by Gronkowski via trade. The two then led Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl win in 2021.

Davis attended the WNBA playoff game between the Aces and Phoenix on Saturday night at Michelob Ultra Arena. Las Vegas beat the Mercury 117-80 to win the best-of-three playoff series 2-0.

“I heard about (White’s comments),” Davis said. “That was what — two to three years ago or something? I don’t know. Talk to Dana. I remember that Tom Brady went to Tampa Bay. That’s basically what I remember.

“I have no idea. Dana has the stories. I love Dana. He is a great, great promoter. Why would this make me upset? I was busy watching (the Raiders beat Miami 15-13) and the basketball game (Saturday).”

White appeared on “UFC 278 with the Gronks” on ESPN+. Gronkowski prompted White to tell the story about Brady nearly signing in Las Vegas.

“It was almost a done deal, and at the last minute, Gruden blew it up and said he didn’t want them,” White said. “It was crazy. Brady was already looking for housing here.”

White then was asked about the revelation during the postfight news conference in Salt Lake City.

He hung his head and grinned as the question was posed.

“I didn’t want to talk about that, but (Gronkowski) sort of sucked me into it on live TV,” White said. “It’s true. I talked Brady into playing for the Raiders, and Gronk was coming with him. They were negotiating the deal, and they were really close to getting it done. Then Gruden pulled the deal, and Brady was not happy about it. Neither was I. And that’s that.

“I own a box (at Allegiant Stadium). I wanted Brady to play there, you know? But, yeah, it’s true. And I thought I would never tell that story publicly, but I don’t know what the hell Gronk was doing tonight that he brought that up. But, yeah. It would have been amazing for the city and amazing for the Raiders. I mean, the first year there, and they have Brady and Gronk. So, yeah. I’m sure Mark Davis is real happy to hear this story.”

Gronkowski confirmed the story on the telecast.

Contact Ed Graney at egraney@reviewjournal.com. Follow @edgraney on Twitter. Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on Twitter.