The Kraft Group

Robert Kraft started his career in 1965 selling paper in Brookline, Massachusetts. That small merchant operation grew into a massive holding company that now manages interests across 90 countries. The group formally consolidated under its current name in 1998 to unify family businesses spanning packaging, real estate, and professional sports.

The organization owns the New England Patriots and the New England Revolution while operating Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. This vertical integration of venue ownership and event production sets it apart from other conglomerates. Kraft built this empire by expanding into distribution and hospitality before acquiring the NFL franchise in 1994.

Recent years have brought significant public attention to the group's political stances and labor practices. In September 2026, singer Macklemore claimed Kraft pressured tour organizers to remove him from Ed Sheeran's tour due to pro-Palestine advocacy. Kraft later pledged $2 million to Palestinian relief efforts after being challenged by Sheeran himself. Simultaneously, Zach Bryan performed at Gillette Stadium wearing a shirt supporting Palestine, highlighting the venue's role in ongoing geopolitical discourse. [edit]