Goodfellas
06-27-2009, 08:36 AM
Michael Jackson played a significant role in Robert Kraft becoming the owner of the Patriots (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/17). Puzzled? A Forbes magazine feature story on Kraft from September 2005 spells it all out, detailing how the a disastrous business venture by the Sullivan family -- the founding owners of the franchise -- indirectly helped Kraft fulfill his dream of owning the Patriots (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/17). Kraft's opportunity may have been lost -- until a failed venture with Jackson and his musical family forced the Sullivans' hand in 1988. Charles Sullivan had used the stadium as collateral to fund the Jackson brothers' Victory Tour back in 1984. Over-leveraged, Sullivan went bankrupt and was forced to sell the arena.
Boston Globe (http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2009/06/how_michael_jac.html)
Boston Globe (http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2009/06/how_michael_jac.html)