Patriots Owner Robert Kraft "appears to be trying to
squelch opposition to a planned new stadium by tripling the
guaranteed annual revenue for the town of Foxboro,"
according to Susannah Patton of the BOSTON HERALD. Sources
said that under a new proposal, the Patriots would increase
the annual revenue now "guaranteed to the community" from
$350,000 to $1M. The team has "also offered to increase"
user fees for concerts and other events from $1.11 to $2.
The move comes as the Foxboro Planning Board is expected to
decide this week whether to recommend approval of
"controversial zoning changes needed" for the new facility.
Foxboro residents will vote on the zoning questions and a
lease agreement at a town meeting on December 6. Patton
writes that "despite opinion polls showing strong support
for the Patriots in town, the team faces several groups of
opponents" (BOSTON HERALD, 11/16). Also in Boston, Meg
Vaillancourt reported that Kraft has also "offered to buy
trailer park homes" impacted by the plans "at above market
prices." During the latest political campaign, Kraft "has
kept himself hidden," as team COO Andy Wasynczuk "has become
the quarterback for the effort" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/14).
