Robert Kraft advances one step closer to Hall of Fame selection
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is one of 25 individuals who advanced to the next round of voting for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s contributor category for the Class of 2025.
On Tuesday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s contributor blue-ribbon committee announced the list of 25 individuals who will move on to the next round of voting to appear on the Class of 2025 ballot. That list includes New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
Kraft, 83, purchased the Patriots in 1994 after having initially purchased the team’s stadium in 1988. In 2002, Kraft financed the new stadium that became Gillette Stadium, a then-$325 million project.
Under Kraft the Patriots have been the winningest franchise in the NFL. Since the start of the 1994 season the Patriots have an NFL-best 321-168 record. They’ve made 10 trips to the Super Bowl, winning six.
On the league stage, Kraft has served on multiple committees including the committees for finance, compensation, and chairing the media committee. In 2011, he played a key role in ending a lockout that began threatening the season.
Kraft has reached the finalist round of voting before, most recently last year. However he’s yet to make it onto the main ballot, as he tries to become just the sixth team owner since 2000 to receive a gold jacket.
What’s the next step for Kraft? For non-players or coaches – including Kraft – induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame comes through the contributor category. The list started at 47 individuals, and after being cut down to 25 on Tuesday will be further trimmed down to nine semifinalists in the next two weeks. From there, one individual will be chosen for the overall ballot with players and coaches.
Kraft isn’t the only person with Patriots ties to move on to the next round of voting. Former team GM and vice president Frank “Bucko” Kilroy, who also is credited with helping establish the modern NFL Combine, is also on the list. Other notable names include Doug Williams, Amy Trask, Art Rooney Jr., Art Modell, John Facenda, Howard Cosell, and Chris Berman.
Meanwhile, this year’s modern-era player nominees are nearing an important checkpoint as well. The list of initial nominees is usually trimmed to 50 finalists in mid-October, meaning that update should be coming soon. The list of initial nominees for the Modern Era Class of 2025 includes 28 former Patriots.