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Tom Brady Cashes In on Super Bowl Cameo, Dunkin’ Donuts and Beyond
Super Bowl LX delivered more than just football; it brought legendary quarterback Tom Brady back into the spotlight, not just on the field, but also on the small screen and even social media. Reports suggest Brady earned a cool “$3-to-5-million” for his brief but memorable appearance in a Dunkin’ Donuts commercial, a testament to the enduring power of celebrity in advertising.
The 60-second ad, a nostalgic ’90s-themed clip, recreated the iconic “How do you like them apples?” scene from “Good Will Hunting.”
Brady found himself in esteemed company, sharing the screen with A-list actors Ben Affleck and “Friends” stars Jennifer Aniston and Matt LeBlanc. In a playful twist, Brady took on the role of Aniston’s character’s “new boyfriend,” a cameo that certainly paid off.
This wasn’t Brady’s only surprise appearance during Super Bowl weekend. He also caught viewers off guard when he joined Green Day on stage during Sunday’s opening ceremony at Levi’s Stadium, proving his versatility extends beyond the gridiron.
The cost of a Super Bowl ad spot itself is staggering, with CBS charging approximately $7 million for just 30 seconds before factoring in production or talent fees. Adding celebrities further escalates these costs, prompting brands to be more strategic with their budgets.
However, for stars of Brady’s caliber, even those not primarily actors, deals typically fall within the $3-5 million range. Industry experts like Tim Curtis, a partner at talent agency WME, note that while the days of $10-15 million paydays for Super Bowl commercials are largely over, the sweet spot for A+ talent remains in that range, especially if their involvement is crucial to the creative concept. Given Brady’s stature, it’s believed he likely secured the higher end of that estimate.
A larger payday for Brady isn’t out of the question, especially considering Ben Affleck reportedly earned around $10 million for a Dunkin’ commercial with Jennifer Lopez in 2023. The combination of a “Good Will Hunting” theme, Affleck’s third Dunkin’ appearance, and Brady’s involvement is likely to be a highly profitable venture for the company.
Beyond his commercial and stage appearances, Brady also sparked conversation on social media during Sunday’s game between the Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. As the Patriots struggled through a rather drab affair, Brady took to Instagram to share a photo of the Audemars Piguet watch on his wrist, estimated to be worth between $12,000 and $24,000. While no caption accompanied the image, the smiling face with sunglasses emoji spoke volumes, hinting at Brady’s boredom and perhaps a desire for the game to end.