Kraft built a reputation as a civil leader in New England since buying the Patriots 25 years agoGETTY IMAGES
The charges against Patriots Owner Robert Kraft of soliciting prostitution as part of an investigation into suspected human trafficking in Florida "represent an embarrassing spectacle for a man who has become one of the most powerful owners in American sports," according to a front-page piece by Mazzei, Draper & Leibovich of the N.Y. TIMES (2/23). THE MMQB's Albert Breer writes the NFL has positioned Kraft as a "statesman of professional football." Breer: "With Kraft's pride, I have a hard time imagining that he'll slide off into the sunset with this as the last memory of him." Operating in the shadows "would be a big change for Kraft" (SI.com, 2/25). WEEI.com's Alex Reimer wrote the whole incident "seems beneath the 77-year-old mogul" (WEEI.com, 2/23). In Boston, Tara Sullivan wrote if Kraft has "put himself at risk in such an irresponsible manner, it would go against the profile of responsible team ownership he has long crafted, against the caring, paternalistic vibe he has cultivated to the highest levels" of the Patriots' roster (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/23). Also in Boston, Adrian Walker writes Kraft's name surfacing in such an investigation was a "shock to many." In the 25 years since he "rescued the Patriots from oblivion, Kraft has meticulously built a brand as a conscientious, if quirky, civil leader." Walker: "If Kraft is guilty, I don't see how he can remain as the highly visible head of a cherished New England institution." The "damage to Kraft's public standing will be profound." At this point, the sight of Kraft "cheering on his team from a box at Gillette, as if nothing happened, is unthinkable" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/25).
IMPACT ON PATRIOTS OWNERSHIP? In Boston, Ben Volin wrote Kraft has "lost any ability to brag about the 'Patriot Way' and his team's commitment to morals and character." It is not expected that Kraft "will be forced to sell the team or hand it off to his son," Patriots President Jonathan Kraft, though it "can't be completely discounted" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/24). Volin added, "It's going to be hard for him to recover from this one, at least in the public eye" ("Nightly News," NBC, 2/22). In N.Y., Jane McManus wrote if the allegations are true, Kraft "doesn't belong in the league anymore." The NFL "can't appeal to women if owners exploit them without consequences" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/24). SI.com's Jonathan Jones wrote if the charges stand and the video surfaces, Kraft "may look to take a backseat to all his future publicity." For Kraft, it "may be best to fade to black" (SI.com, 2/22). In Philadelphia, Bob Ford wrote what "remains to be seen is how far the fall actually is for Kraft" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 2/24).
NOT ALL IS LOST YET: In Boston, Bill Speros wrote in the eyes of America, Kraft "lost his innocence Friday, even if he's never proven guilty." Kraft's local reputation "may emerge unscathed, if not emboldened, depending on how his case is adjudicated." But for "many, many more, he's now a dirty old man" (BOSTON HERALD, 2/23). Also in Boston, Joe Fitzgerald took a softer tone on Kraft while acknowledging he was "foolish, even reckless, to have sought intimacy with a stranger." Fitzgerald: "But is he any less of a public figure to be held in high regard? No. Not here anyway" (BOSTON HERALD, 2/23). THE ATHLETIC's Steve Buckley wrote depending on how this plays out, he is "not ready to send Kraft off to a forced retirement." There is still "plenty of time for Kraft ... to tidy up his image." Kraft "can do it -- unless, of course, more details emerge and he's asked to step away from the team." Buckley: "If so, my understanding has been that he has been transitioning ownership to his sons, anyway" (THEATHLETIC.com, 2/22).
PUT ON A PEDESTAL: The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Jason Gay writes fans "really do a tremendous amount of kissing up" to sports owners, to the point it "gets to be a bit much." Owning a sports team "turns an ordinary rich person into a celebrity." The news of Kraft being charged is an "embarrassment to a person who, until a few days ago, was talked about in the sort of worshipful, hushed tones that people in his position are accustomed to." But it "turns out he is human, mortal, and fallible." Owners "aren't gods or royalty." On game day, or any other day, sports "shouldn't treat them as such" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 2/25). The GLOBE & MAIL's Cathal Kelly writes today's sports owner is a "community bigwig and the civic Cheerleader-in-Chief." He is also "likely vain, camera-hungry and attracted to power." These men "became the new rock stars of the business world," and Kraft "emblemized the type" (GLOBE & MAIL, 2/25).
