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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Money & Work • Sports Team Owner

Robert Kraft

Robert Kraft is an American businessman, sports executive, and philanthropist best known as the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of the Kraft Group.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Robert Kraft is an American businessman and sports executive best known as the owner of the New England Patriots. He built a diversified holding company and is a prominent figure in North American professional sports.

What it is

Robert Kraft is the founder, chairman, and CEO of the Kraft Group, a holding company with interests in paper and packaging, sports, entertainment, real estate, and private equity. He has owned the New England Patriots since 1994 and also owns the New England Revolution and Gillette Stadium.

Why it matters

Under Kraft's ownership, the Patriots became one of the NFL's most successful franchises, drawing a large Canadian audience. His sports holdings, including MLS's Revolution, also resonate with Canadian fans. His philanthropic work includes support for education, health care, and antisemitism prevention.

Key details

Born June 5, 1941, in Brookline, Massachusetts, Kraft studied at Columbia University and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. He bought the Patriots in 1994. As of July 2024, Forbes estimates his net worth at US$11.1 billion.

In short

  • Owns the New England Patriots (since 1994) and New England Revolution.
  • Founded the Kraft Group, a diversified holding company.
  • Net worth estimated at US$11.1 billion (Forbes, July 2024).
  • Active philanthropist focusing on education, health care, and antisemitism prevention.
Canadian angle

Robert Kraft is relevant to Canadian readers mainly through the New England Patriots' broader North American sports profile and the Kraft Group's ownership in major professional sports leagues that have strong Canadian audiences, including MLS and the NFL.

Quick questions

Who is Robert Kraft?
Robert Kraft is an American businessman and sports team owner best known as the founder, chairman, and CEO of the Kraft Group and the owner of the New England Patriots.
What teams does Robert Kraft own?
He owns the New England Patriots and the New England Revolution. He also owns Gillette Stadium, where both teams play.
When did Robert Kraft buy the Patriots?
He bought the New England Patriots in 1994.

Sources

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/money/Robert-Kraft
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, role as entrepreneur and sports executive, and founding of the Kraft Group.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Kraft
    Supports: Full name, ownership of the New England Patriots and New England Revolution, and founding of Boston Uprising.
  3. Bloomberg — https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/robert-k-kraft/
    Supports: Ownership of the Patriots, Gillette Stadium, and other Kraft Group holdings.
  4. New England Patriots — https://www.patriots.com/team/front-office-roster/robert-kraft
    Supports: Kraft Group leadership role and business holdings including the Patriots, Revolution, and Gillette Stadium.
  5. REFORM Alliance — https://reformalliance.com/meet-reform/robert-kraft/
    Supports: Philanthropy, business leadership, Patriots ownership since 1994, and civic work.
  6. Genesis Prize — https://www.genesisprize.org/honorees/laureate-2019/biography
    Supports: Biographical details and charitable work.
  7. The Kraft Group — https://www.thekraftgroup.com/robert-kraft/
    Supports: Education, early business career, founding of International Forest Products, and philanthropic activities.
  8. American Academy of Arts and Sciences — https://www.amacad.org/person/robert-k-kraft
    Supports: Kraft Group leadership and major holdings including the Patriots, Revolution, and Gillette Stadium.