Patriots Owner Robert Kraft finalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame

The Patriots have succeeded above and beyond any other team since Robert Kraft purchased the team in 1994. Should he go into the Hall Of Fame in 2023?

As announced on Wednesday morning, Patriots owner Robert Kraft will be a finalist in the Coach/Contributor category for the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.

Kraft joins 11 other candidates hoping to join the Hall in Canton in 2023;

On August 23rd, the committee will meet once again to make their final choice. Whoever they choose will then move on to the full Selection Committee which will then consider them to become a member of the Class of 2023.

Who is Robert Kraft?
Fans around the league know Kraft as the billionaire owner of one of the most successful franchises in the NFL. But they may not know how deep his love for New England goes.

Kraft was born and raised in Brookline, Massachusetts, and grew up a Boston sports fan. After high school, he would attend Columbia University and receive his MBA two years later from Harvard.

Shortly thereafter, he would stay local and start down the path of becoming an entrepreneur. He would dabble in several businesses before moving on to his first passion, sports.

Growing up as a Patriots fan and even having season tickets since 1971, Kraft brought his attention and efforts to buy a team. He would express interest in purchasing Schaefer Stadium (Foxboro Stadium) and the Patriots as early as 1985. But due to other circumstances, he was unable to purchase both until 1994.

Kraft would purchase both outright for $172 million, the highest amount ever paid for an NFL team at that time.

Since becoming the owner of the Patriots, Kraft has seen unprecedented success with the team. Tom Brady would be drafted in 2000 and help lead New England to 14 AFC Championship games and would win six Super Bowls in his 20-year tenure.

Because of all the success, Kraft’s investment in New England would make him one of the richest people in the world. Forbes estimated the team to be worth a whopping $5.08 billion, second to only the Dallas Cowboys.

Will Kraft become the finalist to enter the Hall in 2023?
Given the incredible success the Patriots have had under his ownership, Kraft will inevitably become a member of the Hall Of Fame at some point, if not enshrined next year.

There’s no question the team has become legendary since he took over, thanks in part to his smart personnel choices and his vested interest in all things regarding the team and stadium.