Robert Kraft Denied NFL Hall of Fame Nomination for 13th Year

The Patriots owner was passed over in favor of NFL co-founder Ralph Hay, sparking debate over the selection process.

Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots since 1994, was not selected as a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025, marking his 13th consecutive year of being denied.
The Hall of Fame's nine-member contributor committee chose Ralph Hay, an NFL co-founder and former owner of the Canton Bulldogs, over Kraft for advancement to the final voting stage.
Kraft has overseen the Patriots' rise to dominance with six Super Bowl championships, but his candidacy has been hindered by past controversies, including the Spygate and Deflategate scandals, as well as personal legal issues in 2019.
Critics of the decision argue that Hay, who sold his team after four years and opposed paying players, is less deserving of the honor compared to Kraft's significant contributions to the NFL.
The Hall of Fame will announce all finalists for the 2025 class in December, with the final vote taking place in January 2025.