9-26-08 Jonathan Kraft, President of Kraft Group

We are back here at Gillette Stadium on a Patriots Friday. Howie Marty talked to Logan Mankins coincidentally on the Patriots Friday we also get to complete our our owners series we begin on Monday with Robert Kraft. I'm Jeremy Jacobs on Tuesday John Henry on Wednesday. With Grousbeck and Steve value on Thursday and Jonathan Kraft wraps up our we that's pretty good cleanup hitter pretty good line after hitting cleanup and R I I was never able to do adamantly so I will I will take it with dale and -- that's an honor. I'll come on your best -- mr. soccer and mr. football mr. football I have mr. football about that. Food while but with little ball in football yes correct. I don't know John -- all -- in this building everybody wears -- Jonathan is the president of the Kraft group and and you know about the Patriots you know about the revolution. Those of you don't live in our part of the state and I live you know just downs street here. He got it down here and see what's going on. Up on top of the hill here because every day it seemed like something -- was going on a Patriot place.

Actually. I cited Dunkin' Donuts right outside the -- here but Dunkin' -- open today but we even mentioned it earlier today perfect or what we wanted to do was. Have what we're calling a role in the opening were starting at the beginning of August -- literally running through and into next spring. Just wanted to through things opening every week him and bringing Patriot tour placed life. And the slow but steady way and then. People who come back can experience different things and then a year from now I think you'll really see it in in the light that it's supposed to be seen.

I gotta ask you know and be honest this is trying economic times. The economy is a little scary right now you guys have taken a real chance. And made a gigantic investment up on the hill here why --

Com I don't know -- week we kept looking out every day and seeing. 22000. Parking spaces there were only truly getting utilized to its fullest and times a year. And we had dislocation. That people from all over New England have been coming to for over thirty years. And we felt like if we could build an open there. Entertainment and retail destination that was really unlike anything else -- when they get it probably. Would take a period of time for it to build up but over time. We could create something that people really viewed as a unique destination where you could literally come and do anything. Whether it's going to a movie and grabbing a bite to heated one of a number of just truly great in the unique restaurants -- experiencing the region's only bass wrote it coming to overhauled the going to grade retailers like -- navy in Hollister or catching a great live musical -- showcase live. It was just away in the next spring we'll have a four star hotel here. And that's also away when the revolution -- the Patriots are playing that people can come from other parts of new England and come down and and truly make a weekend evident. And we're not trying. We're not we we know will not reach its full potential on the first year two or three but we feel. The 4567. Years down the road will really have a unique asset and destination there.

You have a Patriots Hall of Fame and we saw a man to retire yesterday was going to be part of that Hall of Fame very soon. In Troy Brown could you could you put in perspective. What Troy Brown has meant as a football player and as a man because. I'm a fan of both.

Well Troy as a man first is the type of guy. There varies you players on either of our teams that I I would say this about and very few people. I mean in my other lines of work pitchers I don't mean to disparage. Anybody but it very few guys that you need when you're working with whoever the groups of people that you would say. That would be guy I would love for my daughter married in regardless of whether or not the as a football player or refuse the exact same man was an accountant or lawyer maybe not aware by now but it will whatever and and Troy Brown is just. And it's. He's has just the highest level of character. And integrity amazing work ethic no ego but great dad I see him -- this -- see he's just an exceptional human being. And then on top of it if your New England Patriots fan or just a sports fan in general. You know he embodies something that guys like us. Who -- in normal size guys. You know who never been due to compete with the big boys here in just compete with the big boys. He he competed above them in a lot of respects in dated for very long period of time in a very physical physical game and I think them the mental and and and physical toughness that he has probably in a lot of respects comes from. That deep sense of character. That he has as a human being and I know his teammates are going to miss some on the field but we're lucky -- that he's going to. Yeah I I hope will be spending some time around here and and we love to have them involved where --

And this and this is something different for you guys in this is the this is the guy who was part of who was a part of all the Super Bowl teams it was a three time champion and is retiring. As a Patriot he had. You haven't had that. We we really had -- maybe Ted Johnson I guess Ted Johnson. Fits into that into that group. It's part of -- but he plays that in the third I guess 2000 yeah were part of all -- Superbowl champs and that this team that we ought to be able.

Student thing about Troy is Tedy came our second year in 5 Troy was here when we bought the team. Troy Troy came in the team in ninety threes so he you for for our family. He's been here since we walked in the doors and he is the last player. -- you can say that about and it's kind of cool. That he was able to retire a Patriot because I think that's going to just happen. A given free agency in football and given how attractive our veterans. Have been to other people in the league. And I know one of the decisions a couple of years ago when Troy signed his last contract New Orleans. Was very interest in him and and rightfully so I think you would have brought a lot to their club. And at the end of the -- I think Troy took a little less money to stay here because I think he appreciated what it would mean to potentially conclude his career. As a Patriot and we're very have.

And it is funny so last night -- on TV talking about. When he first became a Patriot in the news at Bryant college. For training camp. And he was he said he was on that bridge that bridge over the overlooking the with those that he -- down yeah -- said he is beating the fish. And a and a woman came by to talk to or because he was all by himself and it was -- yes Andy said from that moment on. Your mom's Troy Brown was our favorite player I guess he remainder paper.

Bush you would tell the story very the exact same way and I think she. My mother's not the tallest of people either she's quite. She's quite to -- What's the word diminutive diminutive -- here. I didn't do very well in English and that Edmonton and she. And she took a real liking to him right off the -- and they have been closer percents and I think part of it was she'd look at him and couldn't believe. He was a professional football player and a and it turned out it was a great.

One of the entities. Of the commitment of the Kraft group -- one of the tenets of this building as the New England Revolution we we have asked this question in the past but I think it Bears repeating again. What's the state of professional soccer in this country right now what's the interest level what's that relative health of nearly.

It's the relative health of the league is is really. It is it is stronger. Than it's ever been we. I think the the best way to the best way to illustrate that it is. That the expansion teams in our league for which there are a number of people -- wind up to buy and and win. When I say people I'm not talking about used car dealers not again if there's anything -- with -- car dealers but it's not. Sort of that old NE SLI did it to some local businessmen wants to get in a professional sports. We have people lined up who have the CEOs of fortune 500 companies. Extremely well to do people in other sports leagues even Hank Paulson the secretary of the treasury. Who had been at Goldman Sachs and who's been very visible he and his son. Are very actively. Involved. In an expansion effort out in the Pacific northwest. And so the teams are are now going. For just the franchise rights fifty million and then when you think that you have to come with a soccer only stadium as well. You're really looking at an investment of a 15200. Million dollars to get into the league. I think six or seven years ago people would never have believed that to be the case Oscar de La Hoya. Just bought 50% of the Houston Dynamo. In the transaction valued that franchise. At close to fifty million dollars and they're going to -- a stadium on top of it. So the help of believe this designated player rule. I think that brought David Beckham of the league Davis of visibility. Beyond the core soccer. Fans that I think brought some casual interest of the league which I think has been converted to people that have sat there in and said this a great game. And finally and most importantly. I think the quality of play of our league and dale you you you you were involved in an observer from from righted the start. The quality of play of the league is dramatically above. Hello world was we started 1413. Fourteen years ago and when you think about it the revolution won the super league tournament this year and we beat. A US MLS club. Beat it's a Mexico's three best teams back to back to back and only allowed one goal in the process and this was a real tournament and if you. Yeah you couldn't have imagined that thirteen years ago so above all else the quality of play is getting up to a true world class level and so -- Were really excited about where the prospects are and I should also mention that on national television. The ratings are really quite good too.

With that said it's time for him and fair shot yes that a coincidence finished it's a coincidence though. As you were talking about the revolution and not make in the NFL network -- on line. And they were showing Buffalo Bills highlights. Ahead dead wrong hit it seemed like law salaries go out made. What what does it today. The revolution occurred beat the bills are out there are no matter here that you're the Buffalo Bills of your league you have gone to the championship game many times. At minute Q what does it take to get over that.

If if I -- or or better yet if the organization knew we'd be doing and I think much like with. Whoa what we've always said about. Our professional sports ventures is that we want to be competitive years there out ultimately when championships. Winning super -- it was great but it winning MLS cup is what we're in business to do we've made it to the game. Many years in a -- you point out and that. And and we've played some some wonderful games especially the one down in Texas two years ago that that went to a shootout. I think. It just takes. I think we've played hard and each of the games and I think you just need a little bit lock to go along with the hard effort it's great that they really happens in -- they haven't -- competitive in every game but -- playing great teams and everybody wants to win the championship and we just haven't been good enough on those days to do -- I don't think it's beaten a lack of effort. I think we have the the best goal keeper in the league and I think that that we. Have a core group of veteran players you know with Raleigh and and Taylor and and Michael parker Austin and I don't want to leave anybody else shall read jay heaps all those guys in. They really want to win a championship to and we just we just haven't been able to do it but hopefully we'll get back into the game this year and I think this year. When we won super league yeah I think it showed I think our guys learn something about winning and we won back competition the championship game. Of of that tournament. Came down to a very intense. Shootout and I think in some respects we may have finally gotten over the hump and and hopefully. If we have a chance to compete for the cup this year than in the championship game I think that experience in winning the Lamar hunt open cup last year those two experiences. Well hopefully translate to oh victory in them Ellis we were talking earlier.

Today about the owners of the franchises in this town. And and the passion for instance John Henry has for the game of baseball what the -- Steve after the game of basketball. And I think you guys in particular. Have a passion for football your dad was a season ticket holder sit not on those aluminum benches with you guys you know way back when it and and it almost seems like you have to have that. In order to be successful I don't think you can be dispassionate. And be a winner in any of these leaks you can't.

I think it. It it can happen once or twice and be an aberration. But I think did you -- not passionately. Engaged in involved with the desire to win it's going to be very hard for your franchise to -- two winners certainly won't win. Consistently. And and I think what we've had that in in football's -- look we were going of the game started in seventy ones so we clearly had it was American football. And as relates to soccer we fell in love with that game and -- I remember you. Being very actively involved in the World Cup here and I was here every game do in the play on them all right and I remember talk to you and that was really our first. Real exposure to high quality high level soccer. And we fell in love with the game in two respects we fell in love with with the competition on the field and just what amazing athletes. Those players -- much more physical than people understand if they haven't been to a game live or really watched it the endurance involved. I think other than them American football nothing comes close to it just the nonstop action the amazing amount of running and in the players. The creativity you have to have and the smarts and teamwork involved. In really being rated so it's a wonderful game the other thing that we. Fell in love with about it was when you looked at the crowd it was unlike any other pro sports crowd they did UC certainly in Boston but in. In in it in in the northeast in the United States it was very very very different. You had all last -- all ethnicities. All ages all sexist or totally into the game and understood it. And we saw that and and that's what caused dust. To fall in love with the game and want to get involved with it. And and since then were. Where were extremely were as passionate and is and to the revolution. As we are into the Patriots in and winning ultimately is what really matters and -- idea we. We're in Washington last year for the championship game and then we've we've. -- the championship game with whatever some afternoon and November at at the old rfk and then the Patriots were playing that night up in Buffalo in and it was the game we see. Really dismantled the bills. And we're fly and -- we weren't just miserable America as we watched the championship game and and and and and I I think. -- And rightfully so but I there was some sponsors up there of the Patriots and we saw him after the game remote that happier we were sort of -- in this you know. We said we'd we just losses championship game and now when definitely statements.

When asked about the Patriots a couple things. There's not a lot of the lot a lot to criticize about the Patriots. In the last decade really you've won championships. Got very good players -- guys who were respected in the community. And let me ask you do you sense. What we cents at times that on a national stage whether it is national commentators or fans. Who are upset that the Patriots are winning in their team is not do you sense that there's that disdain for the Patriots. Is that a fair statement. From from people outside of New England.

Out of this game is a strong word I. I think there I think probably a lot of people look at it much as I grew up around here. Watching teams like the Steelers the Raiders in the Cowboys. And dreaming about the Patriots being like him I didn't like any of those teams. Put you had a very healthy respect for what they were able to accomplish and I think I think some of that probably. Exists. Around the league ES -- ESPN have respect for the Patriots I think that's a healthy respect I think some people their due and I think some people there if if -- personal agendas to what they're doing I think. You know -- you outlook if I'm if you're not watching. Whether it's watching ESPN and hearing people commented about professional sports or just as I was before coming down here watching CNBC. And listening to people commented you've seen over and over again and you understand the buys these they're bringing to the table. And clearly there are some guys that it ESPN who for whatever reason don't like our franchise don't like our coach. Might not like a quarterback whatever it is. But they've been proven wrong so many times in what they say that I think they're the ones that kind of look. You know -- bad -- that's what makes a great entertainment we don't get that upset about it we we just we want we want to do what we do and of people are talking about ship. We're thinking about it that's better than the alternative. And what was the other thing that we want to do is a franchise. Is try to stand for something. Both on the field and off the field and art community and for accomplishing that we don't really. Care if there's some people that have issues with one or outward.

Now last year when those people talking about she was United States senator from Pennsylvania. Do you believe. Is that incident and then not just the incident but the commentary about the incident that went on. In different parts if person died down then it came back in after the Superbowl I mean during the Superbowl and -- well. Did that hurt the bottom line in any tackling.

There's a lot of questions and a lot of issues wrapped up and of that let me say this in the first quarter of the first game of last year. We broke a rule. Wasn't ruled that certainly anybody in my family nudity there was a rule or what we were doing but we broke rule. We get penalized for an adult level. That is beyond anything else that'd ever happen to anybody else in the league I would argue it does it and it doesn't we were wrong okay we were absolutely wrong so. I'll preface it by saying -- I don't think -- not only do not have any bearing on that game but I don't think that what it what had been going on as a practice. When you've got to the bottom of truly how was being used in the fact that I. I really don't think bill was even cognizant anymore that that was being done it was some than that there was really ancillary. Of the system. -- It -- no bearing on how we do in games in the bottom line is under more scrutiny than anybody had ever been under in the league we've -- on to accomplish something that it never. Been done before then and newspaper chose to write a story. After giving us literally twenty minutes notice. Before they went depressed with it on the Friday night before the Super -- I mean you put this in perspective the Friday night before the Super Bowl. Twenty minutes and now forty minutes before on -- press. We got a call. We -- on the phone right away -- very very wrong to print the story it is not true. Little while I want him. Get into all the details and they chose to print a story which they had legs for four months for a young man who effectively it was a beef. Who left here stole things which still not been returned this building but was given credibility -- national stage in the US amateur. Chose to get involved with that instead of looking at fan in Friday I'm glad you thought that was important -- is our country today. Is -- huge liquidity crisis that that I'm not saying Arlen specter on his arm but think about the time and energy around specter put that. And how that benefited the American people and I guess that's his prerogative -- US senator. But the bottom line is it did not affect our bottom line I think it obviously affected how casual fan in the morning. -- Fargo, North Dakota or New Mexico whoever. Probably viewed us and they probably think we were guilty of something that would warrant at the end of the day that newspaper. I was forced to run a complete front page. Apology. And I think that says at all I don't think it hurt our financial bottom line but. Our image and reputation are very important and and I I don't know how you can never accomplice compensated for that. Final question from me based on what I see up on the he'll hear you guys dream day -- What's what's next. I don't know we -- digested but we've we've got to digested and we're doing some things in our other businesses but I think right down here. In in Foxborough with the revolution and the Patriots and Patriot place were. In a mode of digesting things and and figuring out how everything can work together run together and -- it makes it. Even a bigger and better locations so I think that's that's what were thinking about but I will say this. If you haven't been down to Patriot place. Come down and checked out the halls or checked out. Showcase lives for this tournament the likes -- great theater check out some of the cool retailers that we have an environment that you don't see. In in any other place and come down and do -- the revs are on the next year's Saturday night's. Tonight this Saturday were playing Columbus there are there ahead of us by couple more points and we can make up this weekend. But come down and watches battle the two best teams two best. And teams in the Easton and and and -- game and checked out pitcher players -- like it. And if you have any feedback -- please be -- to do with some. And that's about it we appreciate the relationship with you guys now have about every Monday and Friday through Cole opens I live a -- the way I love that. You know what I love. Doing this now on Friday with you guys is the public gets to -- you know the fact that Logan is on and I know run these on what you guys -- I think a guy like Logan with the public doesn't get to hear from on a regular basis. Who's really quite intelligent guy and great football play him I'm I'm glad that we were able to do that. One of these days we're going to have to start a revolution 13. And because. The reds players are very articulate and great guys to -- they're very fun to watch and my daughter tells me Taylor Twellman the cutest guys playing sports -- you know and my daughter loves Taylor but she would say showery Joseph yeah out there today and and did you never -- It we really appreciate -- and Simon and allowing us to a finish up our our series on on a very nice now my pleasure thanks for him Jonathan Kraft president of the Kraft group here on Sports Radio WE yeah.