What does the future hold for Robert Kraft (poll included)

Froob said:

Not saying you are but, but people tend to discredit Al because of his late years but Al was pretty smart at one time before he totally lost his mind in the mid 2000's. Guy is an all time great owner. Have really come to appreciate what the dude did lately after finding out he took on the league multple times.

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My knowledge of Al Davis is rather limited....thank for the added perspective!

ausbacker said:

Goodell just tried to royally screw Kraft. He shouldn't be concerned with anything other than what's right for Robert Kraft and the Patriots.

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This is key. Goodell has made the owners a lot of money over his reign, but now he is poison for the NFL. He has created a power struggle that ultimately could do permanent damage. Had he been a sensible, mature steward of the game like his predecessor, none of the scandals over which he has presided would've occurred.

Froob said:

Could be wrong but I believe Green Bay pretty much has an owner with that being the majority share holder. I don't think they run much differently than any other franchise.

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They don't have an owner. They have a board. Elected. And the board hires the Pres. and GM.

upstater1 said:

They don't have an owner. They have a board. Elected. And the board hires the Pres. and GM.

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Imagine how great things would be if every team was publicly owned.

Tunescribe said:

This is key. Goodell has made the owners a lot of money over his reign, but now he is poison for the NFL. He has created a power struggle that ultimately could do permanent damage. Had he been a sensible, mature steward of the game like his predecessor, none of the scandals over which he has presided would've occurred.

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I find it ironic and amusing that the Commissioner, the self-appointed protector of NFL integrity has done more to damage the NFL's credibility than anyone before him.

I've long been of the opinion that Goodell is an excellent businessman but a terrible commissioner. Defamegate drives this home. Money and ratings matter more to him than reputation.

mgteich said:

I guess we should collect a group of the top 100 from the fans for what attacking the full-on means. I think that there is exactly ZERO chance of Kraft doing what most posters here have suggested. after all, it been over 4 days, and there isn't even a lawsuit.

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Possibly -just- a tad premature to expect that.

If he caves in now then I'm done with his organization.

He was willing to sit back after the Wells report because he knew that Brady would be able to fight any suspension and most likely have it overturned. The first round draft pick penalty was a whole other matter.
Much of his next move depends on how things play out among the owners next week. The reality is that it is very unlikely we get that first round pick back. There is an outside shot that we have it reduced. The hope is that we can get Goodell ousted sooner rather then later.

AndyJohnson said:

Brady is the one to fear. He can go nuclear on the league, and has the attorney who will beg him to do it. Also, they literally have zero evidence against Brady.
Kessler will turn it into not a trial about Brady's punishment, but about Goodell's entire reign, the personal conduct policy, the gaffes with other suspensions, and put the Anti-Trust exemption cherry on top.

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While Brady, Kessler and the NFLPA are the ones to fear, Kraft allows them to have an owner on their side for the first time ever. That has to scare to scare the other owners (Except for Woody Johnson who is too busy playing with his toy trucks).

BSR said:

The reality is that it is very unlikely we get that first round pick back. There is an outside shot that we have it reduced.

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I don't expect Kraft so succeed in everything he attempts. What's important, IMO, is that heat least tries to regain the draft pick...and not waver from seeking legal action. The rumor is that he is already considering suing the League... Lord knows for what yet...take your pick!

He was originally willing to accept a small punishment for the betterment of the league as a whole. I imagine he still is open to that compromise provided it does not include specific punishment for Tom Brady and a smearing of his personal reputation. A small fine to the team and maybe a low pick loss from next year is about as much as I would see him accepting. Anything more or anything specific to Brady and we are going to court.

Hey, he changed the avatar in twitter and facebook, you cant ask him for more LOL

Haley said:

He was originally willing to accept a small punishment for the betterment of the league as a whole. I imagine he still is open to that compromise provided it does not include specific punishment for Tom Brady and a smearing of his personal reputation. A small fine to the team and maybe a low pick loss from next year is about as much as I would see him accepting.

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Why accept ANY punishment just to make it go away if you're innocent of any wrongdoing? I wouldn't.

Does anyone else believe that the vitriol against Kraft in the first few days has people in Patriots Place a little anxious?

Keep the pressure on folks.

mgteich said:

Over 70% of the public thinks the SB should be taken away!

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Do they? Weren't just a few hundred people interviewed in that poll? And wasn't this poll taken before the Patriots issued their rebuttal?

Tunescribe said:

Why accept ANY punishment just to make it go away if you're innocent of any wrongdoing? I wouldn't.

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Our whole system of justice is pretty much based on this. Even if you're as innocent as baby Jesus, copping to a lesser plea is usually more practical than spending time in court, lawyer's fees, time away from your job/business, risking misunderstandings/court incompetence/jury stupidity.

Ultimately, the team can absorb Brady's suspension, and Kraft the fine - but losing those picks is as close to a death sentence as the NFL gets. (And on such little evidence!) That it would come during Brady's stretch run is soul-crushing to this fan.

Froob said:

Could be wrong but I believe Green Bay pretty much has an owner with that being the majority share holder. I don't think they run much differently than any other franchise.

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You're wrong and right.

The Packers are run the same way as other teams in that they have a front office, GM, etc.

However, they have no real owner -- they are owned by a publicly held non-profit corporation. The shareholders of that corporation elect a board of directors and the board of directors elects an Executive Committee. The Executive Committee runs the front office. Only the President gets paid. All other officers and board members serve gratis. The President acts as an owner for all NFL things that require owners to vote.

No one (including the majority shareholders) can receive any economic benefits from the stock. It pays no dividends and cannot be sold (except back to the team for a $0.025 per share -- not a typo). If the Packers are ever liquidated, all net assets are required by law to go to a charity.

There were originally 300 shares of stock. In 1950 another 4400 shares were sold, for a total of 4700 shares outstanding. In 1997 there was a 1000:1 split so that pre-1997 owners would always have control of the team. There are now 4,700,000 shares outstanding. 400,000 of which are owned by two people. No post-1996 shareholder is allowed to own more than 200 shares. So while you do have the right to vote for the Board of Directors, that right is in practice completely useless.

Tunescribe said:

Why accept ANY punishment just to make it go away if you're innocent of any wrongdoing? I wouldn't.

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The problem is that Kraft was willing to accept a penalty before ("....fighting the league and extending this debate would prove to be futile [...] we will accept the findings of the report...as well as any discipline levied by the league.”) and when all is said and done, he may decide to do so again! and like you said, that will effectively be an admission of guilt