Patriots Owner Robert Kraft is in negotiations with Las Vegas developer Steve Wynn "to propose a $1 billion casino near Gillette Stadium in Foxborough," according to sources cited by Bierman & Phillips in a front-page piece for the BOSTON GLOBE. The destination resort casino would be "located on 200 acres across from the stadium and the Patriot Place mall." The gambling facility would be part of a "larger complex that would also include a hotel, retail, restaurants, and large entertainment facilities." The Krafts and Wynn, "in secret negotiations for weeks, had hoped to reveal their plans with a major announcement in the next few days." Wynn is "expected to be Kraft’s special guest" ” at Sunday’s Patriots-Colts game. Kraft Group Dir of Corporate Communications Jeff Cournoyer confirmed that Wynn will attend Sunday's game and said he will "talk to some residents and officials about what a project of the caliber of Wynn Resorts would mean for economic development in Foxborough." Bierman & Phillips note NFL rules "prohibit franchises from owning casinos." But they are "silent as to whether team owners can lease land to casino operators." Sources said that under the proposal being worked out between Kraft and Wynn, the Kraft Group "would lease the land to Wynn, who would own and run the casino" (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/2).
