The Man Behind the Tom Brady Empire

The man pictured to the right is Will McDonough, and apparently he's Tom Brady's right-hand man. McDonough's is a fascinating and interesting, if not completely curious, story about a young man who started off as an intern with the New England Patriots back in 1997, and eventually worked his way to the top of the Tom Brady enterprise. All while maintaining a cloak and dagger lifestyle, and staying completely out of the public spotlight.

Luke O'Brien at Boston Magazine chronicles the story of McDonough and his meteoric rise to the top, and how he's handled much of Brady's personal affairs, from helping the star quarterback assemble a team of financial advisors and modeling agents, to allegedly introducing him to his current squeeze, Gisele Bundchen.

Although his duties are shrouded in secrecy, McDonough is a de facto manager; he brokers deals and acts as a gatekeeper. Brady seems to trust him implicitly. McDonough has had a major hand in the quarterback's metamorphosis-and along the way has become an important man in his own right. One weekend, the Boston College grad might be hobnobbing with hedge fund managers. The next, he could be jetting to a celebrity-studded party. Always, he remains deeply connected to Brady as both a business associate and a best friend. Their relationship raises eyebrows, not least because of its clandestine nature. On the Patriots' payroll until this past February, McDonough has now left the team to handle Brady's affairs on his own. He has no official title. His business card simply lists his name, phone, and e-mail. It's all so East Berlin.

As O'Brien writes, McDonough refused to be interviewed for the story and many people who actually know him -- up to and including Brady's actual agent, Don Yee -- wished to remain anonymous or declined to be involved with the story.

McDonough, however, is not universally acclaimed in some circles. It seems at times there are a few people attempting to knock him down a few pegs, including some of Brady's former teammates, who are skeptical of McDonough's true intentions.

They are the kind that sucked Mike Tyson dry, and ruined Johnny Unitas. McDonough isn't like that. But that doesn't stop people from wondering. "A lot of Tommy's former teammates are pretty skeptical of Will," says (McDonough's) friend. "We have other friends who have been railroaded into doing something with hustlers.... You always worry about guys that do well and have guys that hang around."

McDonough has started his own corporation, CAVU, and is currently looking for more clients.