Do you like the sound of 'The Boston Patriots'?

[TrueBeliever]

It is like the #5 TV market in the country, and it's all centered around Boston.

I don't know where it ranks today, but I remember in '98-'99 when Kraft was talking about building in Hartford the news reports listed Boston as the #4 market (behind NYC, L.A. and Chicago). So even though Boston itself isn't as big as some other cities (for example, Indianapolis has a larger population in its metro area) it covers a lot of territory TV-wise.

 

[NEGoldenAge]

That's only because no city is limited by it's geographical borders more than Boston. In most places, Revere, Brookline, Everett, Chelsea, Saugus, and maybe even Quincy would all be a part of the city (and is thos places are not part of "suburban sprawl"). With those regions included, Boston would be top 10 in population - easily. Just look at that list - you think El Paso, or Indianapolis, is even close to the city that Boston is? It is like the #5 TV market in the country, and it's all centered around Boston.

You're making my point for me. Regardless as to why, Boston itself only has a fraction of the total NE fans. The statdium isn't in boston, so why would they be called the Boston Pats?

Don't get me wrong, I love Boston, and realize it's cultural, economic, historical and political significance. However, none of that has nothing to do with the geographical breakdown of a team's fabase.

 

[wizwor]

I prefer New England. Boston has been hostile towards the Patriots except when it comes time for a parade/photo op. The team has flourished in its exile and I don't really understand naming a team that plays in one place after a distant city just because it is the biggest city in the region.

Besides, NEM would have to change to BM and something about that stinks.

 

[Mainefan]

Boston is a great city. But it's the New England Patriots I love, not the Boston Patriots. I feel the name respects people like me.

 

[363839]

I feel very strongly about this issue but they should never go back to Boston Patriots again. As it has been posted by others already, Boston had it's chance to accommodate this team but had always resisted by, not only the politicians but the media as well. This continues to this day with WEEI always focusing way too much air time on Red Sox and virtually ignoring Pats issues. (I'm not in Mass but I read the complaints on these boards.)
PatsfanKen, I have always enjoyed reading your posts and you seem to be very knowledgeable about the team and the sport. But if you think Billy Sullivan was partially responsible for the rift between the city and the team than how come they didn't get a deal for Kraft then?

New England Patriots from here on.
This team represents the region more than it does the city.

 

[patriots pam]

connecticut pam says "NO!" for obvious reasons.

Plus, now that I live in Florida, I'm in the minority as a NEP fan, and I get some good laughs watching geographically challenged Pats-hating yahoos struggle with the concept of the Pats being my home team, although I'm not even from Massachusetts, let alone Boston. That makes me weep a little for the future of humanity, too, but hey...a laugh is a laugh! :singing:

 

[Pats726]

Having been a Boston Patriots fan..and seen that team a number of times..it's the past...and New England is what this team has molded into...I would not wish to go back. No one could build a stadium in those days...no one..it was not happening...and then when they TRIED to..the politicians turned their backs...Keep it the way it is...nice to look back..I love Pat Patriot..but this is the team that won teh Lombardis...NE!!

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

True. As a whole Metro Boston is the largest single team population in the AFC. And the huge television mkt this region brings is the reason the league didn't want the Patriots to move to St Louis in the 90's.

Largest Metropolitan Areas in the U.S. - Most Populous Metros

According to that list, the Metro Boston Market includes New Hampshire and Rhode Island so New England would be the fitting name for the team as well as a much better sounding name. As for Shaunnessy, I simply can't take anyone who looks like the love child of Ronald McDonald and Bozo the Clown seriously.

 

[shmessy]

On the other hand, I have to admit it's kinda jarring when you have the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, and Boston Bruins but the New England Patriots. Almost like they're the ones that don't really count or fit in or something.

Ask the good people of South Boston why that is.

In the late 90's Kraft tried to relocate the team to the SBWaterfront and build something that would make Patriot Place look insignificant in comparison.

He was treated like a sex offender by the residents, the politicians and the very person who wrote today's lamentation column in the soon to be bankrupt Boston Globe.

Life is tough, Shaughnessy. However, the NEW ENGLAND Patriots are seen worldwide as the gold standard for sports organizations. I love the fact that Bob kraft is making a well-deserved tip of the hat to the Boston Patriots and all the fans who rooted for them when it wasn't cool. However, the gesture is made to the players and the fans of that era - - - not to the backwards, set in their ways Boston politicians and old-timey media hacks.

 

[Jimke]

Nobody in Boston embraced the team. Not only did the city politicians **** them around, but the fans didn't want much of anything to do with them either. It's interesting that a member of the media is leding a cry for the "Boston Patriots". The media, was certainly part and parcel to the Patriots not being embraced as well. Billy Sullivan made the right move by renaming them New England Patriots.


That said, I wouldn't mind seeing Pat Patriot back on the helmets permanently and, while we're at it, back to the red, white and blue colors.

I started following them back in 1960 as a 27 year old. I found it interesting watching a professional team being put together from scratch. I would
bring a transistor radio with me on my Friday bowling night. This would
bring glares from my uncle and the other bowlers.

The reason the fans didn't follow them was pretty simple. Why pay to
see a bunch of NFL and CFL castoffs play when you could watch the mighty
Giants play on TV? The turning point came when the upstart league
was given a TV contract by NBC.

As you mentioned in your post, the politicians from the City of Boston were especially unfriendly towards any plan for a city stadium. They rallied
against a stadium plan for South Boston and one at the Neponset Dump.
Finally, a movie magnet donated land for Foxboro Stadium.

I would like to see Pat Patriot return also. Each time I make a post on
this forum, he stares down at me from a needlepoint on the wall.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

if we could roll the clock back, if we could undo all the politics around the Boston stadium, if we could forget that they went to four SB's as the "New England Patriots," and if we could forget that people from Bangor to Providence have identified with them under the regional name, then, yes, I'd prefer that they were called the Boston Patriots and had never changed the name in the first place. it's silly that this is a "New England" team while the Jests and Giants play in New Jersey and carry the name New York, but "it is what it is."

Bottom line, the train has left the station, built up a full head of steam and disappeared around the bend, never to be seen again, except for four games this year.

 

[patfanken]

I think the "New England" moniker actually is much more fitting to the theme of the name "Patriots", Lexington & Concord, the Green Mountain Boys, et al. Boston's greed drove the Patriots to Foxboro and they have thrived there for years. The "New England" name also gave Kraft the leverage to look at sites in CT and NH for his new stadium. So my anser is "NO" I don't like the Boston Patriots.

I was in love of the old idea to build a new stadium in North Quincy (grew up in Quincy), then they could have changed the name to the "Quincy Patriots" summoning images of John, Samuel and John Quincy Adams, some of the real Patriots, that would have been cool.
Could you image the Samuel Adams "Quincy Patirot Brew",, ahh I can just taste it now......

I actually had the opportunity to play for a Quincy professional team 1969, although we were known as the Quincy Giants in the old Atlantic Coast League, we were still considered the Pats farm team. We had Pats unis and helmets, the only difference was instead of Pat Patriot we had a green bay G. $250/wk and lots of beer at the Beachcomber. ex Patriot Ross OHanely was the HC. And as someone who at a small college, it was a great experience playing against guys who played a major colleges and in the NFL.

 

[shmessy]

Would Shaughnessy even be suggesting renaming them "Boston Patriots" ten years ago?

Exactly ten years ago, Shaughnessy and McDonough were doing their best to make sure the Patriots would have nothing to do with the word Boston.

I'd say that he is a hypocrit, but that would be an insult to hypocrits.

 

[shmessy]

I actually had the opportunity to play for a Quincy professional team 1969, although we were known as the Quincy Giants in the old Atlantic Coast League, we were still considered the Pats farm team. We had Pats unis and helmets, the only difference was instead of Pat Patriot we had a green bay G. $250/wk and lots of beer at the Beachcomber. ex Patriot Ross OHanely was the HC. And as someone who at a small college, it was a great experience playing against guys who played a major colleges and in the NFL.

I never knew that, Ken - - that's fantastic! Did you ever play against "King" Corcoran????

 

[n1patsfan]

no!!! lol

 

[mgteich]

Boston is a very small part of New England. The team plays in RI. It almost played in CT. If the team goes back to playing in Boston, then the Boston Patriots would be more reasonable. Of course, their draw and markets would be much SMALLER.

 

[patfanken]

PatsfanKen, I have always enjoyed reading your posts and you seem to be very knowledgeable about the team and the sport. But if you think Billy Sullivan was partially responsible for the rift between the city and the team than how come they didn't get a deal for Kraft then?

New England Patriots from here on.
This team represents the region more than it does the city.

I KNOW Billy Sullivan was PART of the problem. He was a disaster of an owner who sabotaged (unintentionally) this franchise from the moment he stole it from the rest of the stock holders. But as you point out, in the stadium issue at least, he wasn't the only problem. The "issues" which lead to the demise of the "megaplex" are sad as well as sordid.

While he should get credit as one of the founders of the AFL, he FACT is that as the 6th largest TV market in the country, an NFL or AFL franchise would eventually have come even if he hadn't stepped up. And if Orthwein HAD taken the Pats to St. Louis, Bob Kraft would have soon had the opportunity for an expansion team for the same reason. The league wasn't going to let such a large market remain vacant for long.

The shame of the Megaplex was that if it had been completed it would have meant a waterfront baseball field as well, and as much as I love Fenway, and what the new owners have done with it, it STILL needs to be replaced with one that respects people whose legs are longer than 32." With a stadium, ball park, hotels, convention center, shops, etc; as a go to destination, it would have made Patriot Place seem like a backwater. The incredible greed and short sightedness that went into killing that project is mind boggling and painful to remember

 

[CrazyDave]

No, not at all.
I grew up around New Haven, and now live in NW mass. I feel no connection to Boston whatsoever.
But that's just me.

 

[patfanken]

I never knew that, Ken - - that's fantastic! Did you ever play against "King" Corcoran????

Yes I did. He was famous because he was making $100, 000/yr playing for the Pottstown Firebirds, the Eagles farm team. BTW, as you know, back in '69 $100,000 was REAL money. .....so was $250/wk

 

[wistahpatsfan]

I'm a New Englander. I identify with that more than anything else. I like the name as is.