Former Patriot Richard Seymour Close to Becoming Limited Partner of Las Vegas Raiders

In a surprising turn of events, former New England Patriot Richard Seymour is on the brink of becoming an owner and limited partner of the Las Vegas Raiders. The Hall of Fame defensive lineman, who finished his career with the Raiders, is reportedly finalizing a deal to acquire a stake in the team, according to a source familiar with the situation.

This development comes in the wake of owner Mark Davis's commitment to promoting diversity and equality within the organization, following in the footsteps of his father, Al Davis. Al Davis was recognized for his progressive hiring practices, appointing Tom Flores and Art Shell as coaches and making Amy Trask the team's president.

It was Mark Davis who initiated the effort to involve Seymour in the ownership of the Raiders, and if the deal is officially confirmed, it will be the culmination of a process that began in 2020. Seymour would join forces with his former teammate and future Hall of Famer, Tom Brady, as they seek to become owners of the team. Together, along with their respective partners, Seymour and Brady would collectively own 10.4 percent of the franchise.

This combined bid is expected to address the concerns raised about Brady's involvement in the ownership group. Initially, Mark Davis proposed offering Brady a discount below market value, but this was met with resistance from other owners. Presenting the Seymour-Brady bid to ownership in October will require a two-thirds vote, or 24 out of 32 owners, for approval.

Another issue regarding Brady's potential conflict of interest as a broadcaster with Fox has also been taken into consideration. Parameters have allegedly been developed to address any conflicts that may arise from Brady's ownership role with the Raiders, particularly when it comes to attending practices and engaging with teams that compete against the Raiders.

Seymour, who was selected as the sixth overall pick in the 2001 draft, played a crucial role in winning three Super Bowls during his eight-year tenure with the Patriots. In 2009, he was traded to the Raiders and received two Pro Bowl nominations in the next four seasons. Seymour's impressive career includes being named a three-time first-team All-Pro and a seven-time Pro Bowler, as well as being an instrumental member of the NFL's team of the decade for the 2000s.

Given Seymour's involvement in the Raiders' coaching and general manager selection process, his addition to the ownership table seems fitting. The finalization of the deal will see Seymour transition from a player to a stakeholder in one of the NFL's most storied franchises.