Robert Kraft

Robert Kraft
Born	Robert Kenneth Kraft 5 6, 1941
Birthplace	Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Businessman, sports team owner
Known for	Owner of the New England Patriots, chairman and CEO of The Kraft Group
Education	Columbia University (BA); Harvard Business School (MBA)
Spouse(s)	Template:Plainlist
Awards	Template:Plainlist
Website	[http://www.thekraftgroup.com/ Official site]

Robert Kenneth Kraft (born June 5, 1941) is an American billionaire businessman who serves as chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of The Kraft Group, a diversified holding company with interests in paper and packaging, sports and entertainment, real estate development, and private equity. Since 1994, Kraft has been the owner of the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL), a tenure during which the franchise transformed from a struggling organization into one of the most successful teams in professional football history, winning multiple Super Bowl championships. He also founded and owns the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer (MLS), established in 1996, and in 2017 founded the Boston Uprising, an Overwatch League esports team that competed until disbanding in January 2024. A graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Business School, Kraft built his business empire through the paper and packaging industry before entering the world of professional sports. His philanthropic work, particularly alongside his late first wife Myra Hiatt, has been recognized by numerous institutions, and he has received honors including the George Halas Award and induction into the Columbia University Athletics Hall of Fame.

Early Life

Robert Kenneth Kraft was born on June 5, 1941, in Brookline, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. He grew up in a Jewish family, and his faith and cultural identity would remain important to him throughout his life and career. Kraft was raised in the Boston area and developed a strong connection to the city and to New England, a bond that would later influence his decision to purchase the region's NFL franchise.

As a young man, Kraft showed an interest in both academics and athletics. He was drawn to sports from an early age, attending football games and developing a love for the game that would eventually lead him to become one of the most prominent team owners in American professional sports. His upbringing in Brookline provided him with a foundation in both community values and competitive ambition that would shape his business and philanthropic pursuits in the decades to come.

Kraft became a member of Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT), a Jewish fraternity, during his college years, and the organization later recognized him among its notable alumni.

Education

Kraft attended Columbia University in New York City, where he earned a bachelor's degree. During his time at Columbia, Kraft was active in athletics and campus life. Decades later, in 2012, he was inducted into the Columbia University Athletics Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to the university's sporting tradition and his accomplishments in the world of professional sports.

After completing his undergraduate studies, Kraft pursued graduate education at Harvard Business School, where he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA). The training he received at Harvard provided him with the business acumen that would prove essential in building the Kraft Group and managing the complex financial operations involved in professional sports franchise ownership.

In 2016, Kraft received an honorary degree from a Boston-area institution, further reflecting the academic community's recognition of his contributions to business, sports, and philanthropy in the region. He was also invited to deliver the keynote address at Yeshiva University's graduation ceremony, reflecting his standing in both the business and Jewish communities.

Career

The Kraft Group

Robert Kraft built his business career through The Kraft Group, a privately held, diversified holding company headquartered in the Boston area. The company's interests span several industries, including paper and packaging, sports and entertainment, real estate development, and a portfolio of private equity investments. Kraft serves as the company's chairman and CEO, overseeing its broad range of operations.

The paper and packaging sector formed a core part of Kraft's early business endeavors. Through subsidiary operations, the Kraft Group developed significant holdings in the paper and packaging industry, establishing itself as a major player in the sector. One of the company's associated entities, International Forest Products Corp., operated in this space. The success of the packaging business provided Kraft with the financial resources and corporate infrastructure to expand into other areas, most notably professional sports.

Acquisition of the New England Patriots

Kraft's path to owning the New England Patriots was a methodical, multi-step process that demonstrated his strategic business thinking. His interest in the franchise began years before he actually acquired the team. In 1985, Kraft purchased an option on the land adjacent to the team's home stadium, Foxboro Stadium (then known as Sullivan Stadium). In 1988, he purchased the stadium itself. These acquisitions gave Kraft significant leverage over the team's operations, as the Patriots' lease with the stadium became a crucial component in any ownership negotiations.

In 1994, Kraft purchased the New England Patriots for $172 million, which at the time was the highest price ever paid for an NFL franchise. The acquisition came at a critical moment for the team, which had been struggling both on the field and financially. There had been discussions about the possibility of the franchise relocating away from New England, and Kraft's purchase was widely seen as ensuring the team would remain in the region.

Under Kraft's ownership, the Patriots underwent a dramatic transformation. The franchise evolved from a perennially struggling team into one of the most successful organizations in the history of professional football. After hiring head coach Bill Belichick in 2000 and the emergence of quarterback Tom Brady, the Patriots entered a period of sustained excellence, winning multiple Super Bowl championships and establishing themselves as a dominant force in the NFL. The team's success under Kraft's stewardship transformed the franchise's value and profile, making it one of the most valuable sports properties in the world.

Kraft's approach to team ownership combined business discipline with a willingness to invest in talent and infrastructure. He oversaw the construction of Gillette Stadium, which opened in 2002 as a state-of-the-art replacement for the aging Foxboro Stadium. The new stadium, built largely with private financing, became a centerpiece of the Patriot Place development, a shopping, dining, and entertainment complex adjacent to the stadium. This integrated development model demonstrated Kraft's ability to leverage sports assets into broader commercial ventures.

New England Revolution

In 1996, Kraft founded the New England Revolution, one of the charter members of Major League Soccer (MLS). The Revolution play their home matches at Gillette Stadium, sharing the venue with the Patriots. By establishing a soccer franchise, Kraft positioned himself as an early investor in the growth of professional soccer in the United States, a sport that has seen increasing popularity and commercial viability in the years since the league's founding.

Kraft's involvement in MLS reflected a broader interest in the global game and the potential for soccer's growth in the American sports market. The Revolution have competed continuously since their founding and have reached the MLS Cup final multiple times. Kraft's dual ownership of an NFL and MLS franchise has made him one of the more diversified sports team owners in the United States.

Boston Uprising and Esports

In 2017, Kraft expanded his sports portfolio into the emerging field of esports by founding the Boston Uprising, a team that competed in the Overwatch League. The move into esports represented Kraft's interest in new forms of competitive entertainment and the younger demographics they attract. The Boston Uprising competed in the Overwatch League from its inaugural season until the team disbanded in January 2024, reflecting the broader challenges faced by the esports industry during that period.

Role in the NFL

Beyond his role as a team owner, Kraft has been an influential figure in the governance and business operations of the NFL. He has served on various league committees and has played a role in labor negotiations between the league's owners and the NFL Players Association. His involvement in league-wide matters has made him one of the more prominent ownership voices in the NFL.

Kraft's role in the 2011 NFL lockout negotiations was particularly notable. He was involved in efforts to broker an agreement between owners and players, helping to end the work stoppage and preserve the 2011 season.

Personal Life

Robert Kraft married Myra Hiatt in 1963. Myra Kraft was a prominent philanthropist in her own right, and the couple worked together on numerous charitable causes over the decades of their marriage. Myra Kraft passed away in 2011 after a battle with cancer, and her death was a significant personal loss for Kraft and the broader New England community, where she had been deeply involved in civic and charitable organizations.

The Krafts' philanthropic work together included significant support for health care initiatives. They were instrumental in establishing the Kraft Center for Community Health, which was founded to improve access to health services.

Kraft's Jewish faith has been a consistent part of his public identity. He has been active in Jewish communal organizations and has spoken publicly about the role of his faith in his life and work. He has been recognized by multiple Jewish organizations for his philanthropy and community involvement.

In 2022, Kraft married Dana Blumberg, an ophthalmologist, in a ceremony that drew attention from the media.

Recognition

Robert Kraft has received numerous awards and honors over the course of his career, reflecting his achievements in business, sports, and philanthropy.

In 2010, Kraft was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the oldest and most prestigious honorary societies in the United States. The Academy recognized Kraft for his contributions to business and public affairs.

In 2012, Kraft received the George Halas Award, presented by the Professional Football Writers of America. The award is given to an NFL player, coach, or staff member who overcomes adversity to succeed. Kraft received the honor in recognition of his perseverance and leadership following the death of his wife, Myra, in 2011, and his continued dedication to the Patriots organization and the broader NFL community during that difficult period.

Also in 2012, Kraft was inducted into the Columbia University Athletics Hall of Fame, honoring his connection to his alma mater and his accomplishments in the world of sports.

Kraft has received honorary degrees from multiple institutions, including recognition from a Boston-area university in 2016. His invitation to deliver the commencement address at Yeshiva University further reflected the recognition he has earned from academic institutions.

His involvement with the YES Network, a regional sports television network, also brought attention to his role in the sports media landscape.

Legacy

Robert Kraft's legacy is closely tied to his transformation of the New England Patriots franchise. When he purchased the team in 1994 for a then-record price of $172 million, the Patriots were a struggling organization with an uncertain future in New England. Under his ownership, the franchise became one of the most successful and valuable in the NFL, winning multiple Super Bowl titles and establishing a sustained period of competitive excellence. The construction of Gillette Stadium and the surrounding Patriot Place development further cemented the franchise's presence in the region and created an economic anchor in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Beyond the Patriots, Kraft's founding of the New England Revolution helped establish Major League Soccer in the New England market during the league's formative years. His willingness to invest in a fledgling soccer league in the mid-1990s, when the sport's commercial viability in the United States was still uncertain, positioned him as a significant figure in the development of American professional soccer.

Kraft's philanthropic contributions, many of which were undertaken alongside his late wife Myra, have left a mark on health care, education, and community services in the New England region. The Kraft Center for Community Health represents one tangible outcome of the family's charitable work in the health care sector.

Within the NFL's ownership ranks, Kraft has been a prominent voice on issues of league governance, labor relations, and the business of professional football. His involvement in resolving the 2011 lockout and his service on various league committees have given him influence beyond his own franchise. His expansion into esports with the Boston Uprising, while ultimately short-lived, reflected a willingness to engage with new forms of competitive entertainment and evolving audience demographics.

Kraft's connection to the Jewish community and his public identification with his faith have also been part of his broader public profile. His recognition by Jewish institutions and organizations reflects the importance he has placed on communal involvement and cultural identity throughout his career.