Patriots Owner Robert Kraft appeared with CT Gov. John
Rowland this morning to announce that he has agreed to bring
his team to Hartford. Kraft and CT Gov. John Rowland spoke
"three times Wednesday night and negotiators for both sides
worked into the early hours this morning to finalize" the
deal (HARTFORD COURANT, 11/19) The N.Y. TIMES, ESPN and
WEEI-AM in Boston are all reporting that a deal will be
announced this morning and Patriots Dir of Media Relations
Stacey James confirmed to the TIMES' Mike Allen that "he
expected an announcement today" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/19).
DETAILS: Plans have the team relocating to a $350M
riverfront stadium as part of the proposed $1B-plus
Adriaen's Landing entertainment project in downtown
Hartford. The project "would include a major convention
center, shopping and other entertainment attractions -- and
now be linked to a proposed hotel financed and owned by
Kraft." In addition to building the hotel, Kraft "would be
required" to move his team offices to CT, "where top team
officials would pay income taxes." Kraft "also might be
required to move" his MLS Revolution "at some future date"
to ensure additional playing dates. Any signed agreement
"would reportedly prevent" Kraft from negotiating with other
suitors in MA, RI or elsewhere. Sources said that Kraft has
told CT officials that "other NFL owners will not block a
move to Hartford." NFL sources said that if the Patriots
move to Hartford "they would be designated a regional team
by the NFL, meaning the league could not locate another team
in Boston." A deal would have to be approved by the CT
legislature, "presumably in a special session" held by the
end of December, before the MA legislature reconvenes
(Keating, Swift & Green, HARTFORD COURANT, 11/19). In N.Y.,
Mike Allen reports that execs said Kraft "might be asked to
put up a significant amount of good-faith money, which he
would lose" if he made a deal elsewhere (N.Y. TIMES, 11/19).
FINANCING: The Patriots would play rent-free in the
65,000-seat facility that would be built by 2001. Total
public financing would "top" $370M including infrastructure
and would be paid off via team payroll, sales and usage
taxes, in addition to a 10% ticket tax. There would be no
PSLs, so "current season ticket holders will be able to
continue without paying additional fees." Kraft would earn
"all profits from concessions" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/19).
LEAGUE TO OK MOVE IN NEW ENGLAND? NFL VP/Communications
Greg Aiello said the move would require the approval of 24
of the league's 31 clubs: "The fact that the Patriots would
be staying in New England would be viewed as a positive by
the rest of the league" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/19).
FINNERAN LASHES OUT: In Boston, Macero, Silberman & Fee
write that "fingers began pointing" at MA House Speaker
Thomas Finneran, a longtime stadium opponent. Asked about
the controversy Tuesday night, Finneran was quoted as
saying, "I'm going to give tax (breaks) to some fat-ass
millionaire and screw our kids? You've got to be kidding."
Yesterday, Finneran said the comment wasn't directed at
Kraft, but at other NFL owners (BOSTON HERALD, 11/19). He
said he was referring instead to Ravens Owner Art Modell and
Raiders Owner Al Davis (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/19). Finneran:
"What makes them different?" He said such a deal "bullies
and pillages the taxpayers" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/19) Finneran:
"If the Red Sox are comfortable, someone might ask Mr. Kraft
and the Patriots what makes them special" (HARTFORD COURANT,
11/19). In Boston, Bob Ryan criticizes Finneran's
leadership in the stadium process and warns the Red Sox, "If
Tom Finneran is willing to kill one franchise, he'd have no
qualms about killing another" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/19).
AND ROUTE ONE? In Boston, Michael Gee: "After short-
term gain would come long-term jeopardy for the Hartford
Pats. ... Kraft would be campaigning a long way from his
base. The Patriots would need to keep winning to keep their
old customers" (BOSTON HERALD, 11/19). On the front page of
the GLOBE, Dan Shaughnessy writes, "Does anyone really think
that Bob Kraft ... wants to be the owner of the Hartford
Patriots? ... This is where you want to build a fan base for
the Patriots? Why not try New Haven or Kennebunkport. Both
are in New England" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/19).
REAX: In the BOSTON HERALD's "Inside Track," Fee &
Raposa write that Kraft will become the "Most Hated Man In
Massachusetts." Fee & Raposa: "But what did Kraft ask for
that was so out of line?" (BOSTON HERALD, 11/19). A HERALD
editorial questions Kraft's "business acumen" in giving up
the 6th largest TV market for the 27th largest. Losing the
Patriots "wouldn't be tragic, and that is something that
seems to have eluded Bob Kraft" (BOSTON HERALD, 11/19).
Also in Boston, Shira Springer writes that Hartford hopes
the Patriots "will once again place [it] on the professional
sports map and provide it with a sports identity that's been
missing" since the Whalers left in '97 (BOSTON GLOBE,
11/19). In Providence, Jim Donaldson writes under the
header, "Move Exposes Kraft's True Color -- Green."
Donaldson writes that Kraft "used to be an avid, diehard,
fanatical fan. Now, he's just another greedy businessman."
Providence Mayor Vincent Cianci: "You can marry an ugly
women for enough money, I guess" (PRO. JOURNAL, 11/19).
COVERAGE: The reports of the Patriots relocating to
Hartford were the focus of nine stories in today's BOSTON
GLOBE; six in the BOSTON HERALD; five in the HARTFORD
COURANT and four in the PROVIDENCE JOURNAL (THE DAILY).
