Kraft seems to be taking a "business-as-usual" approach to the NFL's spring meetingsGETTY IMAGES
The NFL began its spring meetings yesterday at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, and Patriots Owner ROBERT KRAFT was "in attendance and participated in meetings," according to Mark Maske of the WASHINGTON POST. A source who has "interacted with Kraft recently in football-related settings said that Kraft has not addressed" his ongoing case for soliciting prostitution and has "taken a business-as-usual approach to NFL matters." The source said, "You would never know that anything had happened" (WASHINGTON POST, 3/25). THE MMQB's Albert Breer cites a source as saying that Kraft "retains his role on various committees, so it’s not as if" execs and owners at the league meetings "haven’t been in contact with him" (SI.com, 3/25). In Boston, Kevin Duffy reports Kraft is "expected to keep a low profile throughout the week" and will "not speak to the media" (BOSTON HERALD, 3/25). USA TODAY's Jarrett Bell cites a source as saying that Kraft's matter is "not on the official agenda for the meetings." However, it "would not be unprecedented if he still took the floor to address other owners" (USA TODAY, 3/25). In Boston, Karen Guregian noted NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL "usually holds a press conference on the final day of the league meetings," so it will be "interesting to hear how he frames the case and whether he thinks punishment is a definite" (BOSTON HERALD, 3/24). Also in Boston, Dan Shaughnessy wrote any owners on Kraft’s "enemies list this coming week will have a chance to make him twist in the wind when they are interviewed at the meetings" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/24).
TOO LATE TO SAY SORRY? Kraft on Saturday apologized, but the BOSTON HERALD's Duffy noted the apology "comes as his lawyers are fighting to keep surveillance videos of his alleged spa sex-act out of the courts -- and the public spotlight" (BOSTON HERALD, 3/24). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Andrew Beaton noted Kraft "didn’t specify what the apology was for." Defense attorneys for Kraft and other defendants in the case have "questioned aspects of the investigation that they say would torpedo the cases against the men if they went to trial." Kraft's attorney WILLIAM BURCK said, "There is zero evidence of human trafficking in this case. The state attorney should carefully review how the evidence was obtained in this case. It’s the right thing to do" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 3/24). In Boston, Adrian Walker writes, "Kraft’s apology didn’t do much for me. There’s so much it doesn’t address." It "seemed aimed at the court of public opinion rather than a court of law." From a PR standpoint, though, Kraft’s statement "hit all the right notes" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/25). USA TODAY's Christine Brennan called the apology a "good start" ("GMA," ABC, 3/24). Also in Boston, Wendy Murphy wrote it would be logical for Kraft's apology to be "short and sweet, unmitigated by excuses," but it was "watered down by an awkward attempt to describe himself as a man with 'extraordinary respect' for women" (BOSTON HERALD, 3/24).
CAN'T TAKE IT BACK: In Boston, Bob Hohler in a front-page piece notes Kraft's friends said that he "recognizes the damage the episode has done." Philanthropist JACK CONNORS, who recently spoke to Kraft, said, "Bob apparently made a serious mistake in judgment. But I think you will now see him redouble his efforts to do good things for the folks who have been victims in these kinds of cases. And if he follows through on supporting those kinds of charities, I’m going to be proud of my friend" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/24). In N.Y., Rosman & Belson reported Kraft has been "described by friends as conflicted." He is "angry about what he did and ashamed of the embarrassment he has caused, yet insistent that he did nothing illegal and is defiant enough to hire a very expensive legal team to battle charges that most people settle quickly." Kraft is "leaning heavily on one of his closest friends," Fanatics Founder & Exec Chair MICHAEL RUBIN. Rubin said, "We talk on the phone five times a day." Rapper MEEK MILL said that he had spoken to Kraft "probably 30 times since the massage parlor scandal broke." Kraft’s best friends are "rallying around him, and are eager to discuss the depth of their respect" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/24).
