"Not One Dime"

I'm seeing this phrase a lot here from various fans declaring their intentions to never give Kraft another dime of their money. My concern isn't with debating the merits of such a mindset, but rather to figure out the ways in which to avoid giving him any money. Lots of people have done a great job of posting ways to (not) support him in other threads that I hadn't thought of, and I have a few of my own that I haven't seen (but I certainly haven't attempted to read everything). In no particular order, here's some pitfalls that have been mentioned by others or thought of by myself (beyond the obvious such as buying tickets and paying for parking and beer at the games):

1) Shopping at anywhere in Patriot Place would benefit Kraft.

2) Attending a New England Revolution game.

3) Watching games on TV via cable or DirecTV (revenue sharing for TV does benefit him, as far as I know). I believe the only way around this would be to watch games on websteams, at sports bars, or at friends houses.

4) Buying any NFL merchandise whatsoever (aside from maybe the Cowboys). Again, as far as I know because of revenue sharing, any NFL merchandise purchases whatsoever would in some way benefit Kraft. I am seeing conflicting stuff on Google that the Cowboys are exempt from this, but I'm not entirely sure. If thats the case, go nuts on buying Cowboys stuff to your heart's content, I guess.

Beyond that, here seems to be a way of avoiding this (I could be wrong on some or any of these, so please correct me if I'm wrong):

1) Buy tickets from third party sites (CraigsList or Stubhub). Money has already been made by Kraft, this money would go only to the ticket seller. You're gonna pay more than face value, but at least none of it's going to Kraft.

2) Abstain from all concessions while in the facility. Probably a good idea in general, based off of how overpriced they are, but it is possible to do so.

3) Don't park on site. It's been awhile since I've been to Foxboro...are lots not on stadium property completely separate from the Pats? I believe so, but I don't want to spread misinformation, so someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

4) Take the MBTA to the game via the GameDay commuter rail to Foxboro. Runs from both Providence and Boston. Runs once before and once after in each direction (IIRC). I've never done so personally, but from what I've heard it doesn't drop you off terribly long before the game (helps with abstaining from food/beverage during the game) and I've heard you have to REALLY hustle in order to catch it after the game, so forewarning.

5) Mentioned above, but watching games on either websteams (from what I understand, it's not legal for the people to broadcast the games on these sites but there's nothing illegal about watching it), watching at a sports bar (I guess you're in some way helping pay the bar owners DirecTV bill, but meh), or watching at a friend's house (assuming they haven't made a similar pledge).

Like I said, I could easily be wrong on some of these things. I also certainly hadn't thought through how staggering the ramifications would be if I tried to boycott giving any money whatsoever to an NFL owner, so this helped me think this through. This is mostly a thread for those to correct me or add to this, and also for those that have either declared or are thinking about declaring "not one more dime to Kraft" to make sure they fully grasp the magnitude of it (and to make sure they don't in any way contribute unknowingly).

Boycott sponsors. Prior to this "gate", I have been engaged in my own personal boycott against ESPN sponsors. I will read Reiss and watch the few sporting events on ESPN that catch my interest, but I make it a point to remember who sponsors these shows/websites. And I go out of my way to avoid the products that fund the Bristol juggernaut. ESPN may get to count me as a consumer of their media, but their sponsors don't. I am the complete opposite of the loyal NASCAR fans who proudly support its sponsors.

Petty........yes......but so what. Embrace the hate

borg said:

Boycott sponsors. Prior to this "gate", I have been engaged in my own personal boycott against ESPN sponsors. I will read Reiss and watch the few sporting events on ESPN that catch my interest, but I make it a point to remember who sponsors these shows/websites. And I go out of my way to avoid the products that fund the Bristol juggernaut. ESPN may get to count me as a consumer of their media, but their sponsors don't. I am the complete opposite of the loyal NASCAR fans who proudly support its sponsors.

Petty........yes......but so what. Embrace the hate

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Ahhhhhhhh good one, sponsors, hadn't even thought of that.

And good stuff on the boycotting of ESPN sponsors. I had really been thinking of giving Dollar Shave Club a try, but now I'm really going to think hard about not doing so for reasons I hadn't previously considered.

Honestly, I think Kraft is delusional and doesn't even realize he has become the most hated man in New England. I would love to be able to figure out a way get that message through to him.
Unfortunately what is going to happen, is at some point he is gong to lie to us all and say he thought we were tired of the process being dragged out (the rhetoric) and just wanted to move on, so he did what he thought we wanted, and would have fought if he knew we wanted him to.
That will be his PR move. As soon as he no longer has the right to fight, he will say he really wanted to all along.

Remember Andy, Kraft is the one who told us he was ripping out the EZ seats and installing the pricey members only yuppie quiche restaurant because "fans told us they wanted it". So soon we forget.

PatsWickedPissah said:

Remember Andy, Kraft is the one who told us he was ripping out the EZ seats and installing the pricey members only yuppie quiche restaurant because "fans told us they wanted it". So soon we forget.

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It is so insulting to me that he uses 'its about the fans' as his excuse to do things the fans hate.

Wish he was the kraft that sold food not the kraft that sold boxes.. so much easier to never buy a food brand.

borg said:

Boycott sponsors. Prior to this "gate", I have been engaged in my own personal boycott against ESPN sponsors. I will read Reiss and watch the few sporting events on ESPN that catch my interest, but I make it a point to remember who sponsors these shows/websites. And I go out of my way to avoid the products that fund the Bristol juggernaut. ESPN may get to count me as a consumer of their media, but their sponsors don't. I am the complete opposite of the loyal NASCAR fans who proudly support its sponsors.

Petty........yes......but so what. Embrace the hate

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Next step: if someone's able to collect a list of the various sponsors affiliated with the Patriots, that would be pretty excellent. Gillette is the obvious one, already decided I've bought my last razor from them. Dollar Shave Club and Harry's (https://www.harrys.com/) are better anyway, only reason I was still using Gillette is cause of the Pats.

Nitro said:

Wish he was the kraft that sold food not the kraft that sold boxes.. so much easier to never buy a food brand.

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Try telling that to your child that MUST have the Mac and Cheese when you're at the grocery store.

AndyJohnson said:

Honestly, I think Kraft is delusional and doesn't even realize he has become the most hated man in New England. I would love to be able to figure out a way get that message through to him.
Unfortunately what is going to happen, is at some point he is gong to lie to us all and say he thought we were tired of the process being dragged out (the rhetoric) and just wanted to move on, so he did what he thought we wanted, and would have fought if he knew we wanted him to.
That will be his PR move. As soon as he no longer has the right to fight, he will say he really wanted to all along.

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He's welcome to try, but he didn't leave himself a lot of wiggle room. He explicitly stated that he knows what we want, but the other owners and other fans want something else so we can **** off.

Granted, enough people have short memories that they'll forget all about that and he might win them back over. Not anyone who's paying any real attention, though.

Other corporate sponsors for NE are EMC2, Bank of America, Verizon, NRG Energy and MEMIC (worker's comp insurance). Looks like Gillette is the likely candidate to feel any boycott pinch - or least bad publicity.

AndyJohnson said:

It is so insulting to me that he uses 'its about the fans' as his excuse to do things the fans hate.

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Being a 22-year season ticket holder I never was asked if I supported wrecking the south end zone for that ridiculous lounge. I doubt they asked anyone. But I sure did receive a fancy brochure soliciting my patronage of the overpriced boondoggle.

I'll let my beard grow wild in order to not use gillette

Robert Kraft brings shame to the fans of NE Patriots. He should step down as the owner of the team.

RunAmok said:

Other corporate sponsors for NE are EMC2, Bank of America, Verizon, NRG Energy and MEMIC (worker's comp insurance). Looks like Gillette is the likely candidate to feel any boycott pinch - or least bad publicity.

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Shame I already bailed on BoA years ago, otherwise I'd be happy to bail all over again over this.

Maybe league man bob should get the other 31 fanbases to help fill his stadium opening night.

Nitro said:

Wish he was the kraft that sold food not the kraft that sold boxes.. so much easier to never buy a food brand.

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Silver lining, I can ridicule his accent now:

" Intahnashnal Foriss Proddicks*

I am extremely torn on this one. I'm 41 and go back to the early 80s with this team. Been through good times, bad times, and dynastic periods. I had season tickets in 223 (old stadium) & 313 in the Gillette from 92-11. My 10 year old son has been BEGGING me to take him to a game. I definitely want him to see Tom Brady play and I figured the opener would be awesome with the fireworks, pomp & circumstance, etc - what a way to experience your first game. In this day & age, I'd say most little kids really aren't into "our" teams the way I was when I was little - but my son loves the Patriots. Most of the kids at school have a passing interest, but he's pretty well into it.

I promised him I would take him to a game (and was going to surprise him with the opener - I knew I'd pay a big premium, but luckily and through the Grace of God I can afford it). My son loves the Pats, we watch every non-night game together - it's an amazing thing to have with your son. I had it with my father, who recently lost a long battle w cancer. Christ, we were going to sprinkle some of his ashes on the spot Vinatieri made his kick!

But then the NFL's sanctions came out. And then Kraft turtled, sold out his team, fans, and quarterback and took a stiff Goodell in the arse...Baghdad Bob sold out his team and a portion of the future of his team for the "good of the 32."

Damn, I promised my son a Pats game and I know I'll be paying through the nose - but I just don't know if I can say no to my kiddo, even though I know I should not set foot anywhere near Jonathan City....

Take your kid. Family >>>> whatever

FCB02062 said:

I am extremely torn on this one. I'm 41 and go back to the early 80s with this team. Been through good times, bad times, and dynastic periods. I had season tickets in 223 (old stadium) & 313 in the Gillette from 92-11. My 10 year old son has been BEGGING me to take him to a game. I definitely want him to see Tom Brady play and I figured the opener would be awesome with the fireworks, pomp & circumstance, etc - what a way to experience your first game. In this day & age, I'd say most little kids really aren't into "our" teams the way I was when I was little - but my son loves the Patriots. Most of the kids at school have a passing interest, but he's pretty well into it.

I promised him I would take him to a game (and was going to surprise him with the opener - I knew I'd pay a big premium, but luckily and through the Grace of God I can afford it). My son loves the Pats, we watch every non-night game together - it's an amazing thing to have with your son. I had it with my father, who recently lost a long battle w cancer. Christ, we were going to sprinkle some of his ashes on the spot Vinatieri made his kick!

But then the NFL's sanctions came out. And then Kraft turtled, sold out his team, fans, and quarterback and took a stiff Goodell in the arse...Baghdad Bob sold out his team and a portion of the future of his team for the "good of the 32."

Damn, I promised my son a Pats game and I know I'll be paying through the nose - but I just don't know if I can say no to my kiddo, even though I know I should not set foot anywhere near Jonathan City....

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Kraft has already ruined plenty, don't let him ruin a kickass family experience like that for you. Once you've had that, then you can decide how you want to move forward. Don't think anyone would begrudge you putting your son before any anti-Kraft principle.