27 years ago today, the fortunes of the New England Patriots franchise would be forever changed when Brookline, Massachusetts native and longtime season ticket holder Robert Kraft purchased the team from then-owner James Orthwein.
On January 21, 1994, Kraft bought the Patriots for an at-the-time NFL record $160 million dollars, ensuring the team would stay in New England and not relocate to St. Louis, which was Orthwein’s initial plans.
“The commitments I made was that I believe that if we do the right things and manage it right, we get the support from the fans and the corporate community, that will be an asset for the whole community and our family long-term,” Kraft said.