Quick Facts: New England Patriots
| Current Owner | Robert Kraft |
| Ownership Type | Private |
| Owner Since | 1994 |
| Purchase Price | $172 million |
| Founded | 1959, as the Boston Patriots (AFL) |
| Championships | Six Super Bowls (2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017, 2019) |
| Likely Successor | Jonathan Kraft (son, team president) |
Who Owns the New England Patriots?
Robert Kraft has owned the New England Patriots since 1994, when he paid $172 million for a franchise that was, at the time, struggling both competitively and financially.
Kraft had already owned the team’s stadium lease before buying the Patriots outright, giving him a financial foothold that made the eventual purchase possible when the team came up for sale.
Under his ownership, the Patriots became the most successful NFL franchise of the salary-cap era, winning six Super Bowls between 2002 and 2019, largely built around the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady partnership Kraft assembled and backed for two decades.
Kraft has been direct about succession: he’s stated that the family intends to keep control of the team “in my lifetime, and I believe my children’s lifetime,” with eldest son Jonathan Kraft — team president and a full partner in team decisions for over 30 years — positioned as the clear next-generation leader.
New England Patriots Ownership History
| Year | Event | Owner / Key Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Founded as Boston Patriots | Billy Sullivan | Founding AFL franchise |
| 1988–1992 | Ownership passes through Sullivan family sale, Victor Kiam | Victor Kiam, then James Orthwein | Financially unstable period; relocation rumors |
| 1994–Present | Bought for $172 million | Robert Kraft | Kept the team in New England |
| 2002–2019 | Six Super Bowl championships | Robert Kraft | Belichick-Brady era dynasty |
About Robert Kraft
Kraft built his fortune in packaging and paper manufacturing through the Kraft Group before moving into sports ownership, first securing the Patriots’ stadium lease in the 1980s before ultimately buying the team itself.
He’s remained the NFL’s most visible advocate for keeping team ownership within founding families rather than selling to outside investors or private equity, a stance that shapes how he talks publicly about the Patriots’ long-term future.
Key Ownership Highlights
- Kraft’s stadium lease purchase preceded the team purchase: he controlled the Patriots’ home venue before buying the franchise itself, an unusual sequencing that strengthened his negotiating position.
- Six championships in 18 years defined the ownership era: 2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017, and 2019, an unmatched run in the modern salary-cap NFL.
- Succession planning favors family continuity over a sale: Kraft has been explicit that he expects the team to stay under Kraft family control for generations.
- Jonathan Kraft has been a full partner for decades: not a symbolic heir, but someone actively involved in every major team decision for over 30 years.
- The team’s pre-Kraft era was marked by real instability: multiple ownership changes and relocation threats in the years before his 1994 purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the New England Patriots?
Robert Kraft, who has owned the team since 1994.
How much did Kraft pay for the Patriots?
$172 million in 1994.
How many Super Bowls have the Patriots won under Kraft?
Six: 2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017, and 2019.
Who will take over the Patriots after Robert Kraft?
Son Jonathan Kraft, the team’s president, is positioned as the successor under the family’s stated succession plan.
What was the team originally called?
The Boston Patriots, founded in 1959 as part of the American Football League.
