Robert Kraft, who has owned the Patriots since 1994, bought the franchise to prevent it from moving out of New England. Chris Graythen / Getty Images
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The Patriots went 0-for-2 this year at sending key members of their dominant two-decade run atop the NFL into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Longtime owner Robert Kraft, 84, was not selected for entry, news that comes days after it was reported that Bill Belichick was not elected into the hall either. A league source confirmed an ESPN report Tuesday that Kraft didn’t reach the required votes.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame changed its rules this year, which made it more difficult for candidates to be enshrined. There are 50 Hall of Fame voters, each of whom casts three votes among the five candidates; a candidate must receive at least 40 votes to gain entry.
Kraft was a finalist via the contributor committee. Belichick was a finalist via the coach committee. Roger Craig, Ken Anderson and L.C. Greenwood were finalists via the senior committee.
Now that we know neither Belichick nor Kraft will be enshrined, one of Craig, Anderson, and Greenwood will reach Canton, Ohio this year.
Kraft purchased the Patriots in 1994 and has owned the franchise for each of its six Super Bowl wins.
This story will be updated.
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