Robert Kraft: Businessman and Philanthropist

Kraft is living the dream of any sports fan across the country by becoming rich and buying his favorite sports team. The New England Patriots have always held a special place in Kraft’s heart. Since 1971, Kraft has owned season tickets to see his favorite team play, but it was not always as enjoyable as it is today. Before Kraft bought the team in 1994, they had only appeared in 2 Super Bowls (both of which they lost) and were more often than not left out of the playoff picture altogether. The turning point for the franchise began when Kraft finally found the opportunity to buy the team for $172 million. Since then, Kraft has turned the New England Patriots into the second most valuable team in the NFL at $3.7 Billion.

Robert Kraft (right) in press conference after purchasing the New England Patriots

When Kraft purchased the New England Patriots on January 21, 1994, he promised New England that, “[his] objective in buying the Patriots is to help bring a championship to New England.” The Patriots prior records the five seasons leading up to this sale made this promise very unrealistic. However, Kraft built a successful team in two years leading them back to the Super Bowl, but ultimately losing to the Packers 35-21. The 0-3 record for the Patriots in Super Bowl games did not stop Kraft from pursuing their first championship in franchise history. The Brady-Belichick duo that Kraft created is debatably the best Quarterback-Head Coach duo in the history of the NFL. They have won 5 Super Bowl titles in 8 Super Bowl Appearances together.

Tom Brady and Bill Belichick celebrate as Super Bowl 38 champions

The success that this franchise has had on the field can be attributed by the leadership in the Kraft front office. Kraft gives back to his players, employees, and the community. For example, Lawrence Guy was rewarded a $500,000 bonus at the end of the 2017-2018 season after falling 0.2% short from his 55% playing time threshold that would have earned him that bonus. Guy is a hard working defensive lineman that was rewarded by Kraft and the rest of the coaching staff for his dedication to the team. Kraft is extremely generous to the community through the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation. This past summer, Kraft donated $200,000 in the names of 2017 Myra Kraft Community Awards. These awards were named to honor the late Myra Kraft, Robert’s wife, who dedicated her life to volunteering.

Robert and Myra Kraft

Kraft realizes that there is more to owning a sports team than making money and winning championships. Sports bring a community together and Kraft has embraced that by making the Patriots organization integrated in the community. Robert Kraft is a true champion both as a businessman and philanthropist.