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The man behind the New England Patriots dynasty was once just a fan sitting on the cold, hard, steel bleachers at Sullivan Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
It was Robert Kraft, now 84, along with his late wife, Myra, who created the Patriots you know and love today.
With the Patriots now heading to the team's 12th Super Bowl in history − the 10th under Kraft's ownership − Kraft is praising his first-year head coach and former Patriots player, Mike Vrabel.
"We really have come a long way, and I want to give this game ball to a coach who’s amazing and did something that’s never been done before with all of you," Mass Live reported Kraft saying about Vrabel after this weekend's victory over the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship. "No other team in the history of the NFL has gone 9-0 on the road."
Here's more about the longtime owner of the New England Patriots, Robert Kraft.
Kraft has owned the team for 32 seasons, purchasing the team on Jan. 21, 1994.
When he bought the team, Kraft paid $172 million.
"It wasn't a great business decision; I don't like paying top dollar for an asset," Kraft said right after the deal, according to The Providence Journal archives. "But there was no way to steal this franchise. In the short term, it may not look like a great deal, but in the long term, it is."
The team is now worth more than $9 billion, according to CBS Sports online.
Yes, he has four adult sons − Jonathan, Daniel, Josh and David.
Jonathan is currently the official president of the New England Patriots organization.
According to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences online, Robert Kraft, is president of the Kraft Group, "a diversified holding company with assets in manufacturing of paper and packaging, international distribution of forest products, sports and entertainment, real estate development, philanthropy, and a private equity portfolio."
The Kraft Group is most known for holdings like the Patriots, its Major League Soccer (MLS) team − the New England Revolution − and Gillette Stadium.
Kraft has stated since day one as an owner that he used to sit on the cold, hard benches of Sullivan Stadium as a Patriots season-ticket holder before he ever bought the team.
He even drove home that point after the Patriots victory in the AFC Championship on Sunday, telling Pats fans, "I sat with you on those metal benches all those years. You deserve it."
It was Kraft's ownership that brought the Patriots from the bottom of the NFL to the very top.
Like the Patriots' current home of Gillette Stadium, Sullivan Stadium was also located in Foxborough.
Sullivan Stadium was built in 1971 and was initially called Shaefer Stadium.
It was demolished in 2002 to make way for Gillette Stadium.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: The owner of the Patriots is Robert Kraft. What to know about him
Continue reading...
It was Robert Kraft, now 84, along with his late wife, Myra, who created the Patriots you know and love today.
With the Patriots now heading to the team's 12th Super Bowl in history − the 10th under Kraft's ownership − Kraft is praising his first-year head coach and former Patriots player, Mike Vrabel.
"We really have come a long way, and I want to give this game ball to a coach who’s amazing and did something that’s never been done before with all of you," Mass Live reported Kraft saying about Vrabel after this weekend's victory over the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship. "No other team in the history of the NFL has gone 9-0 on the road."
Here's more about the longtime owner of the New England Patriots, Robert Kraft.
How long has Robert Kraft owned the Patriots?
Kraft has owned the team for 32 seasons, purchasing the team on Jan. 21, 1994.
For how much did Kraft purchase the team?
When he bought the team, Kraft paid $172 million.
"It wasn't a great business decision; I don't like paying top dollar for an asset," Kraft said right after the deal, according to The Providence Journal archives. "But there was no way to steal this franchise. In the short term, it may not look like a great deal, but in the long term, it is."
The team is now worth more than $9 billion, according to CBS Sports online.
Does Robert Kraft have children?
Yes, he has four adult sons − Jonathan, Daniel, Josh and David.
Jonathan is currently the official president of the New England Patriots organization.
Are there other elements of the Kraft's business besides the Patriots?
According to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences online, Robert Kraft, is president of the Kraft Group, "a diversified holding company with assets in manufacturing of paper and packaging, international distribution of forest products, sports and entertainment, real estate development, philanthropy, and a private equity portfolio."
The Kraft Group is most known for holdings like the Patriots, its Major League Soccer (MLS) team − the New England Revolution − and Gillette Stadium.
What's the 'lore' behind Kraft's Patriots ownership?
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Kraft has stated since day one as an owner that he used to sit on the cold, hard benches of Sullivan Stadium as a Patriots season-ticket holder before he ever bought the team.
He even drove home that point after the Patriots victory in the AFC Championship on Sunday, telling Pats fans, "I sat with you on those metal benches all those years. You deserve it."
It was Kraft's ownership that brought the Patriots from the bottom of the NFL to the very top.
Like the Patriots' current home of Gillette Stadium, Sullivan Stadium was also located in Foxborough.
Sullivan Stadium was built in 1971 and was initially called Shaefer Stadium.
It was demolished in 2002 to make way for Gillette Stadium.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: The owner of the Patriots is Robert Kraft. What to know about him
Continue reading...
