In January 1994, Boston business magnate and lifelong football fan Robert Kraft bought a struggling NFL franchise and turn it into arguably the greatest dynasty the sport has ever seen. Kraft, who already owned the team’s stadium at that point, invested a then-record $172 million to buy the New England Patriots from James Orthwein Busch.
The deal did not only turn out great for the team and the region — which kept its pro football franchise instead of seeing it leave to become the St. Louis Stallions — it also turned out well for Kraft.