The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA. The team competes in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the AFC East Division. Known for their dominant run in the 2000s and 2010s, the Patriots are one of the most successful franchises in NFL history, winning six Super Bowl titles under the leadership of head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady.
The Patriots were founded in 1959 by Billy Sullivan as the Boston Patriots and joined the AFL (American Football League) before merging into the NFL. In 1971, they officially became the New England Patriots after moving to Foxborough. The franchise plays its home games at Gillette Stadium.
As of October 2025, the team is owned and operated by Robert Kraft, who purchased the franchise in 1994.
Ownership Status of New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are a privately owned NFL franchise, meaning it is not publicly traded. The ownership belongs to Robert Kraft and his family through The Kraft Group, a private holding company based in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
In 1994, Robert Kraft purchased the team from James Orthwein for $172 million—a record price for an NFL franchise at that time. Since then, Kraft has remained the principal owner and chairman of the Patriots.
In 2025, reports indicated that the Kraft family agreed to sell an 8% minority stake in the Patriots to investors Dean Metropoulos and Sixth Street Partners, valuing the franchise at around $9 billion. However, the Kraft family continues to maintain full control and majority ownership of the team.
Major Shareholders
| Shareholder / Entity | Ownership Percentage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Kraft (The Kraft Group) | ≈92% | Majority owner and controlling shareholder since 1994. |
| Dean Metropoulos | ≈5% | Acquired minority stake in 2025. |
| Sixth Street Partners | ≈3% | Private equity firm that invested in 2025. |
Note: The Kraft family retains full operational and voting control of the New England Patriots.
Key Shareholder Highlights
- Robert Kraft is the principal owner, CEO, and chairman of the Patriots through The Kraft Group.
- His son, Jonathan Kraft, serves as the President of the New England Patriots and is involved in daily management.
- The minority investors (Dean Metropoulos and Sixth Street) hold passive stakes without operational influence.
- The Patriots’ valuation has risen from $172 million in 1994 to nearly $9 billion in 2025, making them one of the most valuable sports franchises in the world.
Recent Developments in Ownership
In September 2025, Robert Kraft finalized the sale of an 8% minority stake in the New England Patriots to Dean Metropoulos (known for Twinkies and Hostess Brands) and Sixth Street Partners, a global investment firm.
Despite the transaction, Kraft remains the controlling owner, and no major changes were made to team leadership or management. The sale reflected the NFL’s newly approved rules allowing private equity investments in teams, which increased franchise valuations league-wide.
FAQs
1. Who is the current owner of the New England Patriots?
The current owner is Robert Kraft, who purchased the team in 1994. He owns it through The Kraft Group and remains the controlling shareholder.
2. Is the New England Patriots team publicly traded or privately owned?
The Patriots are privately owned. Shares are not publicly available for trade.
3. Who founded the New England Patriots?
The franchise was founded by Billy Sullivan in 1959 as the Boston Patriots before becoming the New England Patriots in 1971.
4. Has the ownership changed recently?
Yes. In 2025, the Kraft family sold an 8% minority stake to investors Dean Metropoulos and Sixth Street Partners, but the Kraft family continues to control the team.
5. What is the valuation of the New England Patriots?
As of 2025, the team is valued at around $9 billion, making it one of the most valuable franchises in the NFL.
New England Patriots Official Site
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