20th Anniversary of Kraft & Patriots: 1994-2014

[SeoulSoxFan]

Per Reiss:
 

Robert Kraft purchased the Patriots on Jan. 21, 1994, as we’re nearing the 20th anniversary of one of the most important dates in franchise history. Entering Saturday night, the Patriots are 237-114 since that time (including postseason), the best winning percentage in the NFL at .675. The Packers, at 220-128-1, are next in line (.632). Nice 20-year run.

 
Many of us here remember what it was like before Kraft bought the Pats. It was a time of uncertainty, with a pitiful team without a foundation -- Pats were truly the doormat of the NFL. 
 
In the 5 year stretch from 1989 to 1993, NE went:

• 5-11
• 1-15
• 6-10
• 2-14
• 5-11

If you need a primer on how bad things were even before people like Kiam and Orthwein headlined Globe (poor Bob Ryan), here's an SI vault article on the Sullivan debacle: http://www.si.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1067102/index.htm
 

Billy Sullivan didn't make it to Super Bowl XXII in San Diego. Instead, Sullivan, the 72-year-old owner of the New England Patriots, was holed up in his condominium just south of Palm Beach, Fla. His absence was, to say the least, surprising. As founder of one of the AFL's original teams, Sullivan ranks among pro football's patriarchs, and he usually revels in the end-of-the-season socializing that is as much a part of the Super Bowl as the game itself.
 
But neither the game nor the parties mattered much to Sullivan this year. While the celebrants in San Diego ate, drank and danced their way into a super frenzy, Sullivan was watching all that he had worked for crumble around him. What started as a $25,000 investment in 1959 has mushroomed into nearly $126 million of debt for the Patriots, family-owned Sullivan Stadium and members of the Sullivan family. Moreover, sources close to the family say that Sullivan and his eldest son, Chuck, 45, who's executive vice-president of the Patriots, are teetering on the brink of personal bankruptcy. Chuck denied it last week, and Billy wasn't talking. (Another son, Patrick, 35, who is general manager and treasurer of the Patriots, has no equity in the team or the stadium, but has signed loans with his father and brother.)

 
Kraft officially purchased the team on Jan. 24th, 1994, and NESN has been running a series of articles called "Krating a Legacy".
 
It's worth a read, and this passage highlights the resolve Kraft had in keeping the franchise in NE (also how close it came for the Pats to relocate to St. Louis): http://nesn.com/2013/01/robert-krafts-purchase-of-patriots-required-leap-of-faith-but-results-show-thinking-with-heart-sometimes-pays-off/
 

In 1992, the Patriots changed hands again, with Kiam selling the franchise to James Orthwein, leading to speculation that the St. Louis businessman may opt to relocate. Kraft refused to accept a $75 million buyout of the club's lease at Foxboro Stadium, though, and he instead opted to turn around and offer a then-record $175 million for the outright purchase of the New England franchise.
 
In today's NFL, such a proposal might not be seen as anything groundbreaking. However, the Patriots, who were still without a Super Bowl title at the time, were one of the league's least valuable franchises. Home games were hardly the sold-out affairs that they've since become on Kraft's watch, and there were questions about the team's long-term future.
 
Yet, there was Kraft, clearly willing to not only roll the dice on a business transaction, but also willing to roll the dice on his team.
 
Many Patriots fans had begun to realize that the team likely wouldn't be staying put in New England, which made the 1993 season finale seem like a send-off of sorts. But following a dramatic victory over the Dolphins, Pats fans stuck around, which may have been what ultimately put Kraft, a prospective owner, over the top when it came to trying to reel in the team.
 

 

I think Kraft is surely headed for the HoF, and one of the best owners this city & region has ever known. On this day when Pats again headed for the AFCCG, happy (although a bit early) anniversary indeed. 

 

[NortheasternPJ]

From patriots.com

15
The number of times the Patriots have earned playoff berths since Robert Kraft purchased the team in 1994. New England has qualified for the playoffs 20 times in its 52-year history. The Patriots have earned 15 playoff berths in the 20 seasons since Robert Kraft purchased the team in 1994, a dramatic contrast to the six total playoff berths the team earned in its first 34 years of existence.

17
There have been 17 home playoff games since Kraft bought the team in 1994. In the franchises first 34 years, the Patriots hosted one playoff game, a 31-14 loss to Houston in 1978.

 

[Spacemans Bong]

They were the red-headed stepchild of New England sports, maybe even below the Whalers, before Kraft bought them. It's as simple as that.

 

[8slim]

I grew up in Foxboro and the first team I vividly remember following was the 2-14 edition in 1981. To call this franchise a joke pre-Kraft is a bit of an insult to jokes. I was at the second-to-last home game in '93, when everyone thought they were on their way to becoming the St. Louis Stallions, and there were 26K in the stadium that day.

The mere fact that Bob Kraft saved pro football in New England is reason enough to celebrate the guy. What's happened during his ownership is nothing short of remarkable. I never take it for granted.

 

[YTF]

I think the Kraft ownership has really been the model of what any sports franchise should aspire to be. Smart, shrewd, business savvy, ties and commitment to the encompassing area with the means to not only afford the franchise but to also grow the franchise both on and off the field. Bob Kraft is a fan of the game, he's not an absentee owner BUT allows the football people that he's hired to do the job he's hired them to do. They've become a model of stability in a sport where teams can fall or rise in the matter of a season or two. As with many things a part of this is good fortune, but the staying power of this franchise over the past 13 seasons when you consider the changes in roster, coaching staff and front office not to mention the rash of in season injuries that they seem to over come (yes EVERYBODY has these which is sorta' my point) is nothing short of remarkable. 11 division Championships in 13 seasons, finishing 2nd the other two. 12 of those seasons winning 10 or more games including the last 11 straight and 8 of those 13 seasons with 12 or more wins. 8 Conference Championship games in the past 13 seasons including the last 3. 5 Super Bowl appearances including 3 wins in four years and they are one game away from making it 6 Super Bowls in 13 seasons. And I haven't mentioned the '96 Super Bowl team which is also a feather in the cap of the Kraft ownership, but I'm trying to focus on the stability of the franchise over the past decade plus. On top of or along side of this Kraft has positioned himself to be one of the more influential and better respected owners in the league. Kudos and a world of thanks to the Kraft family for resurrecting this franchise!!!      

 

[8slim]

Also have to give Kraft credit for evolving. The acrimony at the end of the Parcells era, and the front office dysfunction between Bobby Grier and Pete Carroll were certainly reminiscent of the Sullivan days. The threatened franchise move to Hartford was a mess. Hell, the BB era started with the infamous "HC of the NYJ" saga. Those early years of Kraft's ownership weren't without drama, but unlike most owners he seemed to learn from it and improve.

 

[PC Drunken Friar]

There was a thread years ago, where people just threw out all the oddball, ridiculous and sad stories about the Patriots. This was, I think, on the eve of the Eagles Super Bowl. Anyone know if that is still somewhere on the inter webs?

 

[baruch20]

New England has qualified for the playoffs 20 times in its 52-year history.
The Patriots have earned 15 playoff berths in the 20 seasons since Robert Kraft purchased the team in 1994,
a dramatic contrast to the six total playoff berths the team earned in its first 34 years of existence.
 

 

[Al Zarilla]

Per Reiss:
 
 
Many of us here remember what it was like before Kraft bought the Pats. It was a time of uncertainty, with a pitiful team without a foundation -- Pats were truly the doormat of the NFL. 
 
In the 5 year stretch from 1989 to 1993, NE went:

• 5-11
• 1-15
• 6-10
• 2-14
• 5-11

 

Kraft certainly bought low. Great business acumen.

 

[dcmissle]

Also have to give Kraft credit for evolving. The acrimony at the end of the Parcells era, and the front office dysfunction between Bobby Grier and Pete Carroll were certainly reminiscent of the Sullivan days. The threatened franchise move to Hartford was a mess. Hell, the BB era started with the infamous "HC of the NYJ" saga. Those early years of Kraft's ownership weren't without drama, but unlike most owners he seemed to learn from it and improve.

Yep, hiring BB and ceding all control was the fork in the road. Someday it will be up to the son to stay on it.

Speaking of BB:

As someone noted last night, Cowher told him in an interview that he's probably GOAT, and BB said that means ton coming from Cowher.

This morning, Mortensen said that BB may well be the greatest coach of all time. They get it given the injuries and adaptation. Defining year.

 

[Reverend]

Also have to give Kraft credit for evolving. The acrimony at the end of the Parcells era, and the front office dysfunction between Bobby Grier and Pete Carroll were certainly reminiscent of the Sullivan days. The threatened franchise move to Hartford was a mess. Hell, the BB era started with the infamous "HC of the NYJ" saga. Those early years of Kraft's ownership weren't without drama, but unlike most owners he seemed to learn from it and improve.

 
Infamous indeed, but as I posted in another thread, there's something telling about the fact that upon realizing he could work for Woody Johnson or Robert Kraft he was in such a hurry to get to NE that he couldn't be bothered to write even a proper letter of resignation.
 
It seems like BB and Kraft recognized one another.

 

[Spacemans Bong]

Johnson didn't own the Jets at that time, it was Leon Hess.

 

[Dollar]

There was a thread years ago, where people just threw out all the oddball, ridiculous and sad stories about the Patriots. This was, I think, on the eve of the Eagles Super Bowl. Anyone know if that is still somewhere on the inter webs?

 
Link here.  Very entertaining (and somewhat depressing) thread.

 

[Reverend]

Johnson didn't own the Jets at that time, it was Leon Hess.

 
Fair point. The point stands that he bolted to Kraft though.

 

[PC Drunken Friar]

Link here. Very entertaining (and somewhat depressing) thread.


Thank you! I might have to print that out and give it to my father this week.

 

[SpacemanzGerbil]

 
Link here.  Very entertaining (and somewhat depressing) thread.

Ugh. So many good posters that are seen no longer in these parts.

 

[8slim]

Link here. Very entertaining (and somewhat depressing) thread.


A post of mine spawning that thread is the pinnacle of my long, undistinguished tenure here.

 

[Dan to Theo to Ben]

Bob Kraft is a vicarious beneficiary. He deserves a lot of credit for seemingly always hiring great management.
 
"Trading" for BB was the bonne bouche move indeed, but the success of Pats was proximately caused by BB, TB, and ML. Not Kraft.
 
/ducks

 

[Reverend]

"Trading" for BB was the bonne bouche move indeed, but the success of Pats was proximately caused by BB, TB, and ML. Not Kraft.

 
I guess, if your parents let you have dessert for breakfast...

 

[8slim]

I suspect the majority of NFL owners would not be comfortable with the way BB runs the team. Kraft deserves credit for allowing the program to flourish.

 

[PBDWake]

Bob Kraft is a vicarious beneficiary. He deserves a lot of credit for seemingly always hiring great management.

 
I mean, isn't that kind of the textbook definition of a great owner? Hires people that know what they're doing and gets out of the way? Plus, a lot of the growth for the Patriots organization involves all the things he does off the field as well. 

 

[Reverend]

 
I mean, isn't that kind of the textbook definition of a great owner? Hires people that know what they're doing and gets out of the way? Plus, a lot of the growth for the Patriots organization involves all the things he does off the field as well. 

 
Kraft is also apparently a huge player on the media committee or whatever it's called and part of the tv deals that have made the NFL wildly more lucrative. The guy seems to be pretty shrewd.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Ugh. So many good posters that are seen no longer in these parts.

 
But left some damn fine posts in that thread. Here's a snippet from the treasure trove of a post by jacklamabe65 (link):
 

Dom and Emily DiMaggio had season tickets next to my parents. At the time, Dom wanted to buy the Patriots outright from Billy Sullivan. Dom thought that Billy Sullivan was an absolute buffoon.

 

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

 
Kraft is also apparently a huge player on the media committee or whatever it's called and part of the tv deals that have made the NFL wildly more lucrative. The guy seems to be pretty shrewd.

 
Not to mention his work in ending the lockout/strike while his wife was fighting for her life.

 

[Super Nomario]

 
Infamous indeed, but as I posted in another thread, there's something telling about the fact that upon realizing he could work for Woody Johnson or Robert Kraft he was in such a hurry to get to NE that he couldn't be bothered to write even a proper letter of resignation.
 
It seems like BB and Kraft recognized one another.

Yeah, this is pretty clear in one of the books I read, I forget whether it was Education of a Coach or Patriot Reign. After his experience in Cleveland, Belichick was never going to work for an owner he didn't like, trust, and respect again, and he and Kraft formed something of a relationship in his year with the Pats as an assistant. Whenever Belichick leaves, the New England job is going to be a plum gig, regardless of the state of the roster. That doesn't mean I expect Belichick / Brady success forever, of course, but they're not going to be re-creating the laughingstock years anytime soon.

 

[loshjott]

If I recall correctly, Kraft and BB bonded on the plane ride back from the SB loss to the Packers, after Parcells ditched the team. Fast forward three years and BB was uncomfortable with the uncertain ownership of the Jets (Hess died May 1999) and the prospect of Parcells looking over his shoulder from the front office.
 
Kraft recognized the opportunity and pounced.