Robert Kraft became the owner of the New England Patriots in 1994 when he purchased the team for $172 million. Under his leadership, the franchise has experienced tremendous success, securing six Super Bowl victories and ten AFC Championship titles. Despite turning 84 in June, Kraft has made it clear that he has no intention of stepping down from his role.
#Patriots Owner Robert Kraft’s thoughts on stepping down due to age:
“First of all, I think I’m 35, and you all will laugh when I say it… As far as succession, succession is there. I have my eldest son Jonathan… Let’s see what happens over the next 2 to 3 years.”
🎥 @Patriots pic.twitter.com/I0CQBHJ23r
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) April 1, 2025
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Kraft expressed that he still feels youthful, stating that in his mind, he is 35 years old. He recalled how, as a child, he would sit on the stadium benches and dream about one day owning the team and fostering a winning culture. He emphasized that, aside from his family, his greatest passions are the Patriots and his foundation dedicated to fighting hate and antisemitism.
Regarding the team’s future leadership, Kraft assured that a succession plan is already in place. His eldest son, Jonathan Kraft, has been deeply involved in all major decisions for over 30 years and plays a key role in running their various businesses. Although Jonathan prefers to stay out of the public eye, Kraft confirmed that he is fully prepared to take over when the time comes. He mentioned that they will evaluate how things unfold over the next two or three years.
While the Patriots have been the most dominant NFL franchise during Kraft’s tenure, they have not made the playoffs since 2021. In an effort to return to contention, the team recently hired Mike Vrabel as their head coach and made significant financial investments in the offseason.