New England Soccer Today

Kraft Says He Wanted to Buy Liverpool

Photo credit: Jeff Bernstein

Photo credit: Jeff Bernstein

Apparently, Revolution owner/operator Robert Kraft has no qualms with the idea of owning top-flight football clubs on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

Flanked by the four Super Bowl championship trophies his New England Patriots won over the last 14 years, Kraft told Sky Sports that he had eyes on buying EPL side Liverpool FC not long ago.

“I actually came close to buying Liverpool,” Kraft said. “What I loved was the passion of the fans. I came very close, but I decided not to do it at the time.”

Liverpool, which boasts one of the most recognizable brands in world football, was purchased by American sports owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett in 2007, then sold to Boston-based Fenway Sports Group in 2010 for $427 million.

As a result of its ties to the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool has played friendlies at Fenway Park in 2012 and 2014. Both matches pitted them against another international side with local ties: Serie A side AS Roma, which is partially owned by Boston businessman James Pallotta.

Although Kraft may have missed out on the opportunity to purchase Liverpool in 2010, he hasn’t ruled out making a bid for another European club.

“We’re flirting with a couple of things, and you never know in the future,” Kraft said. “If we ever do do it, it’ll be because we have the opportunity to build a winning franchise.”

Kraft, whose Patriots have won four NFL titles while his Revolution have been five-time MLS Cup runner-ups, said that one of his primary motivations is succeeding when the stakes are at their highest.

“There’s a special high that comes with winning,” Kraft said. “And when you’re competing at a very high level, and you’re trying to position yourself to be excellent, that’s a turn on for me.”

The full interview with Sky Sports – which is titled “Kraft’s Patriots: Inside New England” – is set to air on Saturday.

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