Kraft’s comments come amid the ongoing Hall of Fame discussion surrounding him and Belichick. The Patriots’ longtime owner helped shape the franchise’s sustained success from 1994 onward, including the dynasty that won six Super Bowls with Belichick guiding the team for more than two decades before their split after the 2023 season. Kraft declined to weigh in on the voting itself, noting, “I can’t speak on issues where other people are voting or doing things.”
The Hall of Fame voting process involves a 50-person selection committee that requires 80% approval for induction; if no candidate reaches 80%, only the top vote-getter is elected. Kraft and Belichick were among five finalists, alongside former players Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, and L.C. Greenwood, highlighting the scrutiny the process is under after Belichick’s snub this year.
The Hall has a history of inducting a mix of owners and coaches, with Jerry Jones as a notable example (inducted in 2017) and other late owners such as Dan Rooney, Eddie DeBartolo, Pat Bowlen, and Ralph Wilson among recent inductees. Kraft has been the Patriots’ owner since 1994, overseeing a sustained period of on-field success that extended into the post-Brady era.
In a separate statement last week, Kraft publicly praised Belichick, saying, “Bill Belichick’s record and body of work speak for themselves,” calling him “the greatest coach of all time” and arguing he deserves unanimous first-ballot Hall of Fame consideration. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell echoed strong support for both Belichick and Kraft, stating that their contributions to the game are “spectacular” and that they are expected to be Hall of Famers, while noting he is not involved in the voting process.
