Podcast Summary: Holmberg’s Morning Sickness

Episode: Questioning Why Tom Brady Is Allowed Access To Team Practices And Run Throughs As An Owner Of The Opposing Team

Date: August 18, 2025
Hosts: John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo

Episode Overview

This episode centers on John Holmberg’s skepticism and frustration regarding Tom Brady’s unique position as both a part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and a soon-to-be Fox broadcaster. The discussion explores whether Brady’s presence at NFL practices—normally restricted for team owners and outsiders—presents an unfair advantage and a potential for cheating, considering Brady’s controversial history. The conversation is set against the backdrop of preseason football, and is thick with tongue-in-cheek conspiracy theorizing, sports humor, and indignation at perceived double standards.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Tom Brady’s Access to Team Practices (04:00–10:00)

• John Holmberg’s Main Concern:
  Holmberg questions the propriety of Tom Brady being present at NFL practices, given Brady is a partial owner of the Raiders while also set to work as a Fox Sports analyst.
  • “...Tom Brady walking into the Las Vegas Raiders facilities with the old satin Al Davis Raiders jacket... He’s a Raider now. He’s the owner of the Raiders, so that was approved. He’s been the owner for a while.” (03:28–03:45)
  • Potential Unfair Advantages:
    • Former players-turned-broadcasters are customarily allowed into walkthroughs for research. Team owners, however, are strictly prohibited. Holmberg insists this is a rule-breaker for Brady, who stands to gain proprietary information about other teams for competitive advantage.
    • “If Jerry Jones was broadcasting games for CBS and had, let’s say, the Bengals on their schedule...the whole facility would shut down...No other owner would be allowed to do this. Why is he?...He’s Tom Brady. It’s one or the other.” (04:38–06:43)
• Brady’s Cheating Reputation:
  The hosts highlight Brady’s historical involvement in NFL scandals, from “Spygate” to “Deflategate,” and draw a direct line of suspicion to his new dual role.
  • “...Tom Brady’s second best achievement in the professional sports ranks was cheating constantly and getting away with it?” (03:56)

2. Double Standards & Potential for Cheating (05:00–10:45)

• Loopholes and Gray Areas:
  • Holmberg worries that even if Tom Brady himself is not permitted at practices, his broadcast team members (like Kevin Burkhart) or assistants could act as intermediaries, sharing proprietary signals, strategies, or video—potentially for a bribe.
    • “He could pay one of the scrubs that’s on the broadcast team...‘I’ll tell you everything you need to know about what they’re doing when you play the Broncos.’” (05:28–05:52)
    • “If I’m sitting there and I’m like, look, I’m not allowed to go, but the kid that keeps my notes is... videotape some of this we need, boss.” (08:01)
  • Conflict of Interest:
    • Holmberg insists the league should force a choice: “You either are the owner of a team or you’re a broadcast. You cannot be both.” (08:35)
    • Historical Precedent: NFL rules used to be clear, with no leniency for conflicts of interest, but Holmberg feels the “rules have been quietly relaxed” in Brady’s case.
• Statistical Anomalies and Conspiracy:
  Holmberg alludes to abnormal stats around the Patriots’ home game fumble rates as further evidence of previous cheating—a theme he recycles here:
  • “They never fumbled at home...number one in that statistic for five straight years...that was because they were flattening the footballs at home. It’s true.” (09:02)

3. Division Rivals Should Be Wary (09:30–10:15)

• Holmberg warns that the teams most impacted by this potential “cheating” are the Chiefs, Chargers, and Broncos, all direct rivals in the AFC West.
  • “And you know who should be most upset? The Chiefs, the Chargers and the Broncos, the division rivals.” (10:08)

4. Raiders and Cheating Culture (10:20–10:37)

• Holmberg jokes that the Raiders’ new head coach is Pete Carroll, linking him to both USC’s infamous NCAA cheating scandal and a long-running Raider reputation:
  • “Remember that guy? Before he went to Seattle...he cheated his way all the way through USC to a championship...” (10:22–10:33)
  • “Raiders cheating again. It’s the only way they know how to win.” (10:34)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Holmberg lays down his thesis:

  “Do we not all outside of Patriot Village recognize that Tom Brady’s second best achievement in the professional sports ranks was cheating constantly and getting away with it?”
  — John Holmberg (03:56)

• Calling out NFL double standards:

  “No other owner would be allowed to do this. Why is he? ...He’s Tom Brady. It’s one or the other.”
  — John Holmberg (06:39)

• On leveraging broadcast access for competitive edge:

  “If I’m the Broncos, I’m like this MFer isn’t allowed anywhere near any practice or game that we do all year long... He can’t call a game against the team that is eventually going to... They’re cheating again.”
  — John Holmberg (05:48)

• On alleged fumble rate evidence:

  “The Patriots are the only consistent ones that never fumbled. And that was because they were flattening the footballs at home. It’s true.”
  — John Holmberg (09:06)

• Final warning and prediction:

  “Mark my words. You heard it here first. 8, 18, 25. There will be trouble with this. There will be trouble with this... Tom Brady’s cheating again. That’s my conspiracy for the 2025 season.”
  — John Holmberg (09:38)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:28] – Holmberg introduces Brady’s appearance at the Raiders’ facilities as part-owner
• [04:38] – Comparisons drawn between Brady and Jerry Jones in similar circumstances
• [05:28] – Explains how broadcast partners could pass along confidential information
• [06:39] – The uniqueness and unfairness of Brady’s dual role highlighted
• [08:35] – Recap of clear conflict of interest and history of strict NFL rules
• [09:02] – Cites fumble statistics as historical evidence of cheating
• [10:08] – Holmberg identifies AFC West rivals as primary victims

Tone & Style

The episode is a blend of sharp sports commentary, tongue-in-cheek conspiracy, and dark humor—true to Holmberg and his co-hosts’ signature irreverent style. Holmberg’s skepticism about NFL fairness is equally matched with his playful ribbing of Tom Brady’s legacy, making the critique both pointed and entertaining.

Conclusion

This episode of Holmberg’s Morning Sickness is a lively, hard-hitting take on the intersection of celebrity, sports ownership, and conflict of interest in the NFL. Holmberg’s case against Brady is filled with both detailed sports knowledge and comedic flair, offering listeners a thought-provoking (and entertaining) look at what happens when a famous player transitions into ownership and broadcasting, raising questions about where loyalty and fair play truly lie in the modern NFL.