American football icon Tom Brady added a famous new trophy to his collection, albeit temporarily, during a high-profile appearance at a major sporting event in the United States. The legendary quarterback was pictured hoisting the Stanley Cup on Friday night while attending the NHL's 2026 Winter Classic.
A Night of Sporting Silverware
The seven-time Super Bowl champion was a guest at the annual outdoor ice hockey spectacle, where the Florida Panthers faced the New York Rangers at LoanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins baseball team. In images that quickly circulated, Brady could be seen carefully studying the vast trophy, examining the names of past winners engraved upon it. Ahead of the game, which drew an estimated 36,000 fans, Brady was also presented with a personalised Florida Panthers jersey bearing his name and the number 12.
His visit to the Winter Classic also included a meeting with former NHL player and current Fox commentator Paul Bissonnette. The pair were seen deep in conversation after Brady had recorded an episode of Bissonnette's popular 'Spittin' Chiclets' podcast earlier that same day.
New Year's Eve Speculation Fuels Headlines
The sporting appearance came hot on the heels of viral social media footage that placed Brady in a rather different spotlight. Just one day prior, videos emerged showing the 48-year-old athlete and 25-year-old model Alix Earle enjoying a flirty New Year's Eve celebration together in St. Barths.
The clips, taken at a Caribbean yacht party, showed the pair dancing closely and appearing affectionate as they welcomed 2026. In one moment, Earle was seen glancing over her shoulder at Brady, while another captured him with his hand around her lower waist. Reports from Page Six suggested the two broke away from the main group to talk privately in a cabin during the evening.
Neither Brady nor Earle has directly addressed the rumours, but their actions have done little to quell speculation. Brady shared a philosophical quote about beauty on his Instagram story as the videos spread, stating: 'People are not beautiful for how they look or speak. They’re beautiful for how they love, care and treat others.' He later posted a picture of his pool in Florida with the caption 'Home Sweet Home'.
Connections and Coming Attractions
The potential romance carries an intriguing sporting link. Alix Earle recently announced her split from Houston Texans wide receiver Braxton Berrios, who was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2018—when Brady was the team's star quarterback. Brady has been single since his divorce from supermodel Gisele Bündchen was finalised in October 2022.
Professionally, Brady remains deeply embedded in the NFL world. This Sunday, he is scheduled to be in Chicago to commentate on the Bears vs Detroit Lions game for Fox, as part of his 10-year, $375 million broadcasting deal. The final weekend of the regular season could set the stage for a poignant playoff crossover: Berrios's Texans have qualified for the postseason and could win the AFC South this Sunday, potentially creating a scenario where Brady's path intersects with that of his rumoured new love interest's ex-partner.
