Robert Kraft a Hall of Fame finalist after getting snubbed along with Bill Belichick

Robert Kraft has another chance to head to Canton. The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s contributor subcommittee has named the Patriots owner a finalist for its 2027 class, it announced Wednesday.Kraft was one of five nominees alongside Ralph Hay, Virginia McCaskey, Doug Williams and John Wooten.Hay owned the Canton Bulldogs from 1918-22, while McCaskey owned the Bears from 1983 until her death at age 102 in 2025.Williams became the first black quarterback to win a Super Bowl title and game MVP in 1987 with Washington, and Wooten has worked for several franchises’ scouting and player personnel departments after a nine-year playing career, and became chair of the Fritz-Pollard Alliance in 2003. The recognition comes a year after Kraft was snubbed for a spot in the Hall along with his longtime head coach, Bill Belichick.Both fell short of the necessary 40 votes needed for induction with the 2026 class.The contributor subcommittee narrowed its selections down to five from a field of 42 nominees.The subcommittee will then meet on Nov.17 to select one candidate for consideration by the selection committee to be enshrined with the 2027 class.Kraft has been the Patriots owner since 1994, and his teams have appeared in 11 Super Bowls and won six in his 31 seasons.Kraft has also served on several significant owner committees during his ownership of the Patriots.

He’s been the longtime chair of the NFL’s Broadcast and Media Committees, which have worked to establish the league’s media business as a global industry and build partnerships.The Class of 2027 will be determined before Super Bowl 2027 in February, with the induction ceremony taking place in Canton, Ohio in August 2027....