NFL legend Tom Brady and reality TV superstar Kim Kardashian were at the center of dating rumors earlier this year, but it seems they were just friends after all

Tom Brady has recently been hanging out with Irina Shayk after “flirting” with Kim Kardashian. (
Image: Getty Images for REFORM Alliance)

Tom Brady sparked Kim Kardashian dating rumours with a costly bidding war. Before Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift became the talk of the town, one of the biggest celebrity dating stories of 2023 was the rumoured romance between Brady and reality TV star Kardashian.

In the end, it was clear they were just friends, as Brady got to know Russian supermodel Irina Shayk while Kim K was said to be “hanging out” with Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. But for a short time a few months ago, social media buzzed with talk of a possible new power couple in Brady and Kardashian.

A bidding war between the two at a glamorous charity auction in October added fuel to the fire of speculation. Both of them were at the Reform Alliance Charity Auction in Atlantic City, New Jersey, with their eyes set on a painting by famous artist George Condo.

Kardashian, who has ex-husbands in Kanye West and former NBA player Kris Humphries, opened the bidding with a hefty $500,000 (£395,000). But seven-time Super Bowl winner Brady, who got divorced from Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen in 2022 after 13 years of marriage and two children, wasn’t ready to give up.

A bidding war started, with TMZ saying they were “giggling” and having “super fun and flirty” time until the price reached $2 million (£1.58 million), when the event hosts stepped in. Brady and Kardashian were offered a Condo canvas each if they paid $2m (£1.58 million) each.

Earlier this year, billionaire businessman Michael Rubin, CEO of Fanatics and a friend of Brady and Kardashian, denied any romantic connection between the pair.

“Honestly, they’re just friends,” Rubin told Entertainment Tonight. “It’s just the crazy rumors that get out there.”

Instead of Kardashian, Brady has been spending quality time with model Shayk. After spending time together on and off throughout the year, she was seen entering his home in New York City a few weeks ago.

Their relationship may become more serious, according to the Daily Mail. An insider said: “Tom and Irina are hanging out again but aren’t in a full-blown relationship.

“They are attracted to each other and love hanging out but are playing the game of hanging out with each other when it is convenient for them. They keep talking and are comfortable with each other to where it’s going to lead into something more permanent if they allow it.

“It has all the elements where they are fighting a sure thing, someone just has to make the move to make it official but no-one wants to be first.”