Islanders' Matthew Schaefer signs endorsement deal with Tom Brady's NOBULL
Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders. Credit: Getty Images/Bobby Goddin
The Tom Brady-Matthew Schaefer bromance is a two-way street.
The Islanders rookie defenseman said after Tuesday’s morning skate at UBS Arena he has signed an endorsement deal with NOBULL, the sportswear brand co-owned by Brady and Mike Repole, who grew up in Queens.
Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback for the Patriots and Buccaneers, named Schaefer in an Instagram post on Sunday when asked which NHL player would be the best fit for a NOBULL endorsement deal.
“He kind of has that eye of the tiger,” Brady said. “That look that I always had.”
Schaefer said on Tuesday he had a FaceTime conversation with Brady.
“He’s a great guy and someone I really look up to,” Schaefer said. “We talked a lot about the brand and what they’ve got going on with NOBULL.”
The 18-year-old Schaefer described it as “really cool” to be able to talk to Brady, 30 years his senior.
Tom Brady acknowledging Matthew Schaefer.
— Isles Territory (@IslesTerritory) January 4, 2026
This is awesome. #Isles pic.twitter.com/C41Io8pyI5
“I’m super honored to be a part of what they’ve got going on, especially with Tom Brady involved,” Schaefer said. “I didn’t grow up watching a ton of football but, of course, I knew who Tom Brady was. Everyone did. He was the GOAT. It was pretty special to talk to him and hear from someone I’ve looked up to.”
Schaefer, selected first overall in this June’s draft, is in the first season of a three-year, $2.93 million entry-level deal. Eventually, Schaefer is expected to be among the highest-paid players in the NHL. And, as the NOBULL endorsement shows, likely one of the league’s most marketable players.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
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