With the New England Patriots back in the Super Bowl, attention naturally turns to one man who is partly responsible for the success of nearly everything tied to the franchise. The man: Robert Kraft, who has owned the Patriots since 1994. Very few owners in professional sports are as closely tied to their organization as Kraft is.
Robert Kraft Is Among the Oldest NFL Owners
From the early days at old Foxboro Stadium, Kraft has been a constant presence in the Patriots organization. However, that longevity has also led to more questions about where he fits among the NFL’s oldest owners.
Kraft was born on June 5, 1941, making him 84 years old. As mentioned above, he purchased the New England Patriots in January 1994 and has owned the franchise ever since, giving him more than 30 years of uninterrupted control over the organization.
Kraft is slightly older than Jerry Jones, the longtime owner of the Dallas Cowboys. Jones, born in October 1942, is 83 years old and is often mentioned alongside Kraft as one of the NFL’s most influential owners of the modern era.
The comparison makes sense. Jones purchased the Cowboys in 1989 and has remained the face of the franchise ever since, while Kraft followed in 1994 and helped turn New England from a struggling organization into a perennial contender. While their management styles differ and the success of both franchises is distinct, both owners are deeply involved in their teams’ decision-making.
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Among current NFL owners, Kraft ranks near the top in age. Only a handful of owners are ahead of him. One is Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown. Most of the league’s remaining owners are either younger individuals or family-led groups that have transitioned control over time.
Kraft has made clear that not all of his sons work with the Patriots daily, but he has said he wants the team to remain in the family for years to come.
Jonathan Kraft is the oldest son and the one most often in the public eye, aside from his father. Jonathan serves as president of the New England Patriots and the Kraft Group. He has played a role in most organizational decisions since the family purchased the Patriots. Though he maintains a relatively low public profile, his influence within the organization is significant.
The Patriots are making their 12th Super Bowl appearance, aiming to win a seventh title and surpass the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most championships in NFL history. This marks their first Super Bowl appearance since Super Bowl 53.
