Bob Kraft

Robert Kraft
Born	Robert Kenneth Kraft 6/5/1941
Birthplace	Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Businessman, sports team owner
Known for	Owner of the New England Patriots
Spouse(s)	Myra Hiatt(m. 1963  div. 2011) Dana Blumberg(m. 2022)

Robert Kenneth Kraft (born June 5, 1941) owns the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He's an American businessman and sports executive whose privately held company, the Kraft Group, holds stakes in the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer, plus other ventures in paper and packaging, real estate development, and private equity. When Kraft bought the Patriots in 1994, nobody expected what would follow. The franchise won six Super Bowl championships under his watch, becoming one of the most successful and valuable teams in pro sports. In September 2025, the Patriots were valued at roughly $9 billion when Kraft agreed to sell a minority stake in the team. It was the first time he'd parted with any ownership share since acquiring the franchise more than three decades before. His tenure centered on a long, productive, though ultimately contentious partnership with head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady, a combination that produced an unprecedented dynasty in NFL history. Beyond football, Kraft has been prominent in American philanthropy and public life.

Early Life

Kraft was born on June 5, 1941, in Brookline, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. He grew up in a Jewish family and developed an early love for football. He became a devoted fan of the Boston Patriots (later renamed the New England Patriots) from their 1960 founding as a charter member of the American Football League. He attended games at various stadiums the team called home during its early years: alumni fields at Boston University and Harvard Stadium. His childhood in the Boston area instilled in him a deep connection to the region and its sports culture. That connection would later shape his decision to purchase the Patriots and keep them in New England.

Education

Kraft attended Columbia University in New York City and earned a bachelor's degree. He then received a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School. These two prestigious institutions gave him the business acumen and network of contacts that would prove crucial in building his business empire. Eventually, that foundation also made it possible to acquire an NFL franchise.

Career

Business Ventures

After finishing his education, Kraft built the Kraft Group into a diversified private holding company. The conglomerate's interests spanned paper and packaging manufacturing, real estate development, and private equity investments. The Kraft Group became one of New England's largest privately held companies. That success provided Kraft with the financial resources to pursue his lifelong ambition of owning a professional sports franchise.

Acquisition of the New England Patriots

Kraft didn't just wake up and buy the Patriots. It was a deliberate, multi-step process that started in 1985 when he purchased land adjacent to the team's home stadium. Sullivan Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts was the place. In 1988, he acquired the stadium lease, which gave him serious influence over the team's operations. Finally, in 1994, Kraft purchased the New England Patriots outright for a reported $172 million. That was the highest price ever paid for an NFL franchise at the time. The purchase transformed a franchise that had been stuck in mediocrity, plagued by financial instability and relocation threats.

Kraft's choice to keep the team in New England, rather than pursue potentially more lucrative relocation options, cemented his relationship with the region's fans. He invested heavily in the franchise's infrastructure. Eventually he oversaw construction of Gillette Stadium, a state-of-the-art facility that opened in 2002 and was financed largely through private funds.

The Patriots Dynasty

Everything changed when Bill Belichick was hired as head coach in 2000. Then came Tom Brady. This trio, often called the "Patriots triumvirate," built one of the most dominant dynasties in North American professional sports history. The Patriots appeared in nine Super Bowls under Kraft's ownership and won six of them. That established the franchise as the preeminent NFL team of the early 21st century.

The Belichick-Kraft partnership lasted from 2000 through the 2023 season and was central to the franchise's success. Belichick got wide-ranging authority over football operations. Kraft largely supported his coach's personnel decisions, even controversial ones. But the relationship grew strained in its later years. After Brady left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following the 2019 season, the Patriots struggled to stay competitive. Tensions between Kraft and Belichick reportedly intensified.

In December 2025, Belichick had left the Patriots and became a Hall of Fame finalist. The former coach issued a public statement that briefly acknowledged Kraft's role in his career. Observers noted this was significant given the ongoing friction between them. The complicated nature of their relationship was further underscored by reports that Kraft had once used blunt language to characterize Belichick's personal judgment. Some insiders suggested subsequent events in Belichick's post-Patriots life validated that assessment.

Post-Belichick Era and Return to Contention

After Belichick left, Kraft reshaped the franchise's coaching and front office leadership. He hired Mike Vrabel as head coach. Pairing him with young quarterback Drake Maye signaled the start of a new era for the Patriots. Results came quickly. By early 2026, the Patriots had returned to the Super Bowl. Commentators noted this reflected Kraft's organizational stewardship and willingness to make bold changes. The rapid turnaround drew favorable comparisons to other NFL owners who'd failed to rebuild successfully after key personnel departed. Commentators cited Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who hadn't won a championship in 30 years, as a contrasting example.

Sale of Minority Stake

In September 2025, Kraft agreed to sell a minority stake in the New England Patriots at a valuation of roughly $9 billion. It was the first time Kraft had sold any portion of the team since acquiring it more than 30 years before. That $9 billion valuation was a dramatic jump from the $172 million Kraft paid in 1994. It underscored the extraordinary appreciation in value that NFL franchises have experienced during his tenure as owner. Industry observers interpreted the sale as a strategic move related to estate planning and succession. It ensured long-term stability of the franchise's ownership structure while the Kraft family retained majority control.

New England Revolution

Kraft also owns the New England Revolution, a founding member of Major League Soccer (MLS). He was one of the original investors who helped launch MLS in the mid-1990s. The Revolution play at Gillette Stadium alongside the Patriots. They've reached the MLS Cup final multiple times, but the club hasn't won the championship. That's a source of frustration for some supporters.

Vladimir Putin Super Bowl Ring Incident

One of the stranger episodes in Kraft's public life involved Russian President Vladimir Putin. During a 2005 meeting, Kraft showed Putin one of his Super Bowl rings. According to Kraft's account, Putin tried it on, admired it, and then pocketed it. He didn't give it back. It became a minor diplomatic matter. Kraft initially said the ring had been a gift, reportedly under pressure from the Bush administration, which didn't want to create a diplomatic incident with Russia. Kraft later acknowledged publicly that the ring had been taken without his consent and that he wanted it back. The ring, valued at an estimated $25,000, was reportedly placed in the Kremlin library. The story's been widely recounted as an illustration of both Putin's boldness and the complex dynamics between American business figures and foreign heads of state.

Personal Life

Kraft married Myra Hiatt in 1963. They remained married until Myra's death from cancer in 2011. Myra Kraft was known for her extensive philanthropic work. Her death was a significant personal loss for Kraft, who's spoken publicly about her influence on his life and charitable activities.

In 2022, Kraft married Dr. Dana Blumberg, an ophthalmologist. As of early 2026, Kraft (then 84) and Blumberg (then 52) maintained an active public presence together. They've attended high-profile events such as pre-Super Bowl festivities.

He has four sons from his marriage to Myra. His son Jonathan Kraft serves as president of the Kraft Group and has taken on an increasingly prominent role in day-to-day operations of both the Patriots and the family's broader business interests.

Kraft is Jewish and has been active in Jewish communal organizations and causes throughout his life. He's been a significant donor to institutions in Israel and to organizations combating antisemitism.

Legal Issues

In 2019, Kraft was charged with two counts of soliciting prostitution connected to a sting operation at a massage parlor in Jupiter, Florida. He pleaded not guilty. The charges were ultimately dropped after a Florida court ruled that the video evidence obtained by police had been collected in violation of his constitutional rights. Despite the dismissal, Kraft issued a public apology for his conduct.

Recognition

Kraft's contributions to professional sports and philanthropy have earned him numerous honors. As the owner of a franchise that won six Super Bowl championships, he ranks among the most successful owners in NFL history. Various organizations have recognized his philanthropic efforts, particularly in education, healthcare, and combating antisemitism.

The Kraft family's philanthropic activities included substantial donations to Columbia University, Harvard Business School, and numerous hospitals and medical research institutions in the Boston area. Following Myra Kraft's death, the family established initiatives in her memory to continue her charitable legacy.

He's also received recognition for his role in growing Major League Soccer as one of the league's founding investors and team owners. His willingness to invest in soccer at a time when the sport's commercial viability in the U.S. was uncertain contributed to the league's establishment and early survival.

Legacy

Kraft's legacy centers on his transformation of the New England Patriots from a struggling, financially unstable franchise into one of the most successful and valuable teams in professional sports. When he purchased the team in 1994, the Patriots were among the NFL's least valuable franchises. By 2025, the team was valued at roughly $9 billion. That reflects both the broader appreciation of NFL franchise values and Kraft's stewardship of the organization.

His ability to attract and retain coaching and playing talent is central to his reputation as an NFL owner. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady stand out most notably. He provided them with the organizational support and stability necessary to sustain long-term success. The six Super Bowl championships won during his ownership place the Patriots alongside the most storied franchises in league history.

Kraft's willingness to invest in the next generation of Patriots leadership after Brady and Belichick departed, followed by the franchise's return to Super Bowl contention with Vrabel and Maye, further reinforced his standing as an owner capable of adapting to changing circumstances and rebuilding effectively.

His role as a founding investor in Major League Soccer and his extensive philanthropic activities extended his influence beyond the NFL. His charitable work, particularly in education and healthcare, and his advocacy against antisemitism have been notable aspects of his public life.

The 2019 solicitation charges, though ultimately dismissed, represented a personal and public embarrassment that briefly overshadowed his professional accomplishments. But the legal outcome and Kraft's subsequent public activities shifted attention back to his business and sports endeavors.