Robert Kraft on Patriots Monday

[11:03] ..." we -- you have a unique relationship with some of your players Richard Seymour -- that chair. And talk to us about he and his wife travelling to Israel with you and and being baptized. And in the Jordan River talked about how emotional it was for him. I would think that that relationship is so rewarding in so many occasions and that was probably one of them at the same time. It's got to hurt more when a guy like Tom Brady gets hurt and you watch him you know limping off the football field and is done for the year."...

[12:16] ..." it and it hurts you know. Think how. Difficult it is shadows Rodney Harrison and actually listened to them when you're one of the programs here I don't know which one. You know he was saying"...

[11:03] ..." we -- you have a unique relationship with some of your players Richard Seymour -- that chair. And talk to us about he and his wife travelling to Israel with you and and being baptized. And in the Jordan River talked about how emotional it was for him. I would think that that relationship is so rewarding in so many occasions and that was probably one of them at the same time. It's got to hurt more when a guy like Tom Brady gets hurt and you watch him you know limping off the football field and is done for the year."...

[2:10] ..." About it they've been. -- whether the -- was Super Bowl soon. The oldest Favre Super Bowl soon. I don't know twelve years."...

[0:00]" And joining -- says he has in the past it is not only the owner of the Patriots -- host when we get the use these. Nice studios here Robert Kraft as Willis can you hear it's okay now his I don't think it's had phones are on just with those on. Flick that switch on the side. -- they are. Maybe volumes. He's got -- now now. Now I can hear all the little Lewis is there you go all the wonderful things avoid that if you are doing great howry Joe -- thank you very good are you doing very good. Are you doing there again after. After yesterday after a long day at the office yesterday. Well. First of Claude. You only feel -- about things."

[0:47]" I -- to him and help improve or. You know we've we've had a pretty good run here. For a couple years. Since what was -- November Rose lyrics. Real lines flew again Andersen's report in the new field actually. When my grandchildren the end of the game along ways just thinking hell. My experiences have grown up -- an error. So little. Unrealistic. With the expectations you know -- happen it'll happen. Yeah -- coach. -- was more. Torn up for an upset with what happened and I was like can assure you carried through last night than this morning. Let us know or bonus -- I think credentials. Future's so. It that's yesterday's news and like there's so you -- the newspapers with these that position let's rolled out while. You know."

[1:53]" Newspaper writers that thought I. Rapidly as grabbed the fridge and and line the birdcage and all kinds though you're give your grandkids that -- and I remember when Patriots were. Playing at Fenway Park it. It yet but not not yet but I think."

[2:10]" About it they've been. -- whether the -- was Super Bowl soon. The oldest Favre Super Bowl soon. I don't know twelve years."

[2:26]" That's. Going some teams have gone -- some people. So it creates an expectation but it's a nice one you know we've we've been able. Hopefully impact the culture here influenced. And fourteen seasons this is the beginning of our fifteenth season. We have an unbelievable weekend here. In the hall of famers come to an analyst. Really early special. You think you know. Some of them would go likeness on it -- who was. Remember playing in the sixties he's he's in the Patriots Hall of Fame the Dolphins -- I -- The camp now. He came back here. He's done this red jacket with great pride news both he and his wife. So could be back -- for the week. And saw the special camaraderie that's been created here and you know Saturday afternoon when we. Have discipline in the plaza for. 2000. And -- opposed Maria. Sitting. Something you know ridiculous CBO's seen them steers and four and you know selector mini -- tonight having just of the privilege. Andre Tippett gave me you know room. During the speech and electing him the whole thing we sort of try to create here and -- them. A wonderful wonderful week and it just it was a real -- here. Yes the -- overwhelmed all split. I think what happens this week but Friday night and mirrors show. And each of the players. Told stories. You know those of us remember Ben Coates who -- finishes and a we don't remember him as a man of many words. He was on Hitler. And the he he Heath is smart. And you know he's got country's always -- that. Way above them worries from a small. -- You're really good and course value and -- is when he gets go."

[4:47]" We had to leave here Friday and now when we did Patriots Friday we had hog command talking about the opening of the hall at Patriot place which is open of the public today against. And it and he was talking about you know you can have a you can have a program. To make money. He said but but the -- program puts winning first and then making money second winning championships is first. On the on the on the list of things to do here and he said that's the difference here."

[5:14]" Well we've been blessed to have a -- goes to pay your bills so. You know. Making money the last twenty years never in the primary and moment thing we do week. Because if you do the right thing and you give people quality product. You're really try to manager businesses. For the difficult times and if you do that -- quality. And and your best of ability and best of your ability integrity in the product your view. People will stay with you mostly with you in the tough times and and in the end. The reward of winning. There's so much greater the psychic income from so much greater than. Making a few extra dollars. Uncle Sam has taken how awful and you know. We. And I don't mean to be cavalier. Because we also -- every project we do stand -- so. And that's very important to us that we that this poems do. Drew in the business of professional sports the bottom line should be winning and if you win everything else will fall."

[6:26]" I do have a nit pick though haven't mr. Regarding money. The pre season we've heard a lot of talk about the pre season going from four games -- two games which makes a lot of sense. Why it's why across NFL our season ticket holders required. To pay all season money for a pre season product. Well. You know -- different ways to. -- like this what we can do. Is -- increment -- and screw over the first they. Its coming out of the same place. It's going to come out of the same place I think that. Owning a season ticket. And I understand your point and I'm not taking them lightly and part of the reason we're doing things to try to. Maybe the pre season as meaningful noises. Whether should be through three. There's a certain amount revenue."

[7:32]" Those necessarily comment. You know we could. Billups create tickets and people would still. You know we're well over 50000. People on the waiting so. I'm sure they would take. It's just the way things have been."

[7:49]" Yeah -- it isn't the point is just we've seen it here don't understand it from a coaching standpoint expressing game for the pre season game. You don't watch your top players and there. Because you want to -- around for the regular season so there are times when coach Phillips -- equal. Say okay you're not going to see this starting out -- that start but that -- not seeing any. A real football game you're seeing a watered down product -- think it's unfair to pay. Big time money for practice games."

[8:19]" Well for those of us or if I actually enjoy those games because I enjoy seeing them. Players. Don't get a chance to see him and the development and so but. You're you're you're a season ticket -- your partner. So you're committing so many dollars to common watch games. And you know one of things we could think about is if we reduce. Then we've done it to the other games and without make you feel good are -- a season ticket I'm not a season ticket -- and -- in a -- the medial and meant."

[8:56]" Well and I don't know wouldn't say a member of the media I I look at it this way. And I local laws matches as that you guys -- football but. There's a big difference between pre season game number two and game number five game number six of the regular season. I -- and -- complained about the prices of the regular season tickets because. If you you get what you pay for the product is doing good I dislike it's a practice game. It's not the real deal I think the prices should reflect that that's just my opinion even if I weren't in the media I would say --"

[9:32]" Well and I'm just. -- After a I do. I understand what you're saying and it's legitimate point and I am on. Minimizing him. And -- garrison was in the the season -- is going to be so million dollars. So and so would you feel better. If those prices -- reduced them. And then another tomorrow what's -- over the other eight games."

[10:01]" I would feel better if he did. It if you took a certain percentage out. Just to if you just took a piece of that pie in the season ticket and then the prices is lower overall not about I don't I'm not as a record for distributing the money."

[10:18]" So then you're going to come with a million common in the locker room. And I'm gonna say that the -- angle Bill Hall who would like all your players take because they get 60% of the grows. You'd like you to take a little bit less. So that we can reduce prices increases."

[10:35]" I would make the same case to the players. On behalf of of fans. Who are who who have to pay the weight who have to. Who have become -- put them I would that the players are. And you can -- I -- you -- okay now we're I don't know I don't expect that that's a different argument -- remember that it is on the and yeah."

[11:02]" Yeah we -- you have a unique relationship with some of your players Richard Seymour -- that chair. And talk to us about he and his wife travelling to Israel with you and and being baptized. And in the Jordan River talked about how emotional it was for him. I would think that that relationship is so rewarding in so many occasions and that was probably one of them at the same time. It's got to hurt more when a guy like Tom Brady gets hurt and you watch him you know limping off the football field and is done for the year."

[11:33]" Well. Any player. That that happens to. You know you see on -- work in the offseason. Workouts in the pre season. And an excuse me then. I was just there it's. You know it's warily. South Park so -- game it's one of them -- wire while no one can never predict. Exactly what's going to. You obviously. -- if you learn congress. You know. Core. You always want to let them matter. And it and it hurts you know. Think how. Difficult it is shadows Rodney Harrison and actually listened to them when you're one of the programs here I don't know which one. You know he was saying you know he's -- heart was when he was sitting idle. And you know. Like -- was supported him extreme. And dealing with just. Being alone in private and out of the game and the boredom and and negativity that comes with just sitting idle. And how are you have to be mentally strong and you know the physical part of this game and -- and -- gets hurt. Is is really you very difficult part was one of the reasons that there's probably -- in this league as well."

[13:11]" We are able to see as we drive down here a completely different. Fox or or different two completely different Gillette Stadium when you first opened it it was just the stadium. I have other things around. What was the motivation. For building around it went what do you want to see happen here."

[13:30]" Well you must remember we come here every day. We had. You know I just actually. Fox sports and DirecTV down here to gentleman and we're talking about how this used to be. Stir the pot holes and racetrack and stables. And betrayal park. And oh. Overrule us few years we've definitely. Worked very hard to try to change. Change what this hole locations about people with -- Foxboro. Having great tour -- him."

[14:14]" We've been able to part with them and you know we knew since. The stadium here and the parking. And the infrastructure we we paid for everything in the state did bonds but we're reprinting them. There was no one public dollars a year or know your sales. And I'm pretty proud of unlike any other city. In America but we've had to make a huge investment. In these 22000. Park inspires us. And for us to be able to compete competitively. On the road we -- find other ways that we could do things and developed things. Bill would allow us to generate cash flow to support this Grossman privately. And anything we do. And -- your businesses we like it to be unique and distinctive. And so we came up. For -- regional destination -- and my son Jonathan. Has been real problem portion of this. In terms of bringing in unique to us different situations and I just taught took the fox. Gentleman round and they couldn't believe our our whole thing and I hope all of our food and skepticism never. Seen a building like that but they showcase live -- I don't know. I went there and actually fifteen of our players were there with the wives and significant others who posed them him. It's an amazing -- you know and then. The deluxe theaters with a big suits I don't know if you were to think of boys to men."

[15:54]" Actually I remembered some of the songs. So really it was going to -- The Brothers really love that they were I don't know anything I knew I knew some of the music."

[16:08]" And -- stated we -- the whole time so that was a good -- good. And we actually saw another one when we're of this soon. Who it was Sargent Pepper's. I covered in The Beatles and government yet -- I didn't know but this guy Christopher cross flew. You know did saloon and with the wind and you know I could there was another follow the that we knew the musical we didn't know old timers sort this. Rejuvenated but that's life. You know Vegas kind of -- Here and Bucs well that's pretty pretty special and learn. You know with Mass. General Brigham -- there. Location here in W those and skipped checks are Alou is Baskin Robbins and we beat bill handed to us -- Friend here your partner would like a Victoria's Secret we."

[17:08]" You never know you know he's got some needs in. Hollister and rebook all the regular -- As the yeah record. Ultimately and you know cardinal and Astro. -- he has he's hiding an airlock and you know there have been there Michael."

[17:31]" It's like going in the museum science is the most. Unbelievable I've never seen. For retool operation. Like that you're in the average male shopper spends five hours and there's just."

[17:44]" I've never done that are on that at all but the -- what people out shaft on. The value of the clothing. -- So it's pretty special. What's happened here and I know. Your losses they were doing so well decide to open up for lounge. And then you go to the severe as soon get the sliders and Fries. I promise you we won't be disappointment."

[18:11]" I want to talk about some of your partners here your business partners here and particularly the television networks. It seems like the television entity that television arm of the NFL is so vast so huge you've got your own network now your your partners with your networks -- are going so well. Is there another step that can be made have you have you maxed out what you can do with with your television partners."

[18:34]" Well I hope not -- ho park you know going back to what we -- about how you do business you'd try to partner up with people. Where you can add value and give quality. And report we're getting pretty high rates now the the different ways that people take in the information. And and and watch product is changing. And part of what we're trying to do with the NFL network and and FL dot com is to be prepared. We're the end or activity in different ways that people. Want to watch here so. It hit its interest thing. As the market becomes more for actual lines what we have in the NFL is pretty special new thing. They're from want to Clark on Sunday and tool. Yes PM game on Monday night ultimately. Insurance against San Diego. Is roughly 120 million people. The launch an NFL looking either in person. Or on television. There's no other product. Generate such kind of mass audience. So if you want to get -- messenger. You know it's pretty unique and we don't think about -- thing about our game against the Jets last week. Was hired in in New York and the Marlins -- its highest rated game in September. In the history televising football. The Cowboys."

[20:18]" Eagles game. On. So on Monday night a week ago -- came was highest rated game. And cable we we broke sort of last year against Baltimore which. And they got a million more viewers so. People are still watching even as you -- always cable networks and and sort of go back. To your question we have to continue your good matchup scheme good quality. Keep parity in the league support comes to the Patriot -- And have these great matchups and and hum. -- develop and expand on the relationship I think the new media it's it's so exciting. You know their personal terms I'm not sure it's sort of like. Forgive me analogy about the financial markets no one. Well we know in the new media it's going to get bigger and better and I hope for financial markets the same and I do actually feel it deep down. But there's a certain uncertainties that Nolan can chart out exactly how it's -- ago. But we know we have a product that's in great demand them we have to be respectful of whether it's pre season regular season. And don't nice take advantage. Of people who were trying to buy things on the -- I shot I felt that that's the."

[21:42]" I know I didn't want. It'll live hey I -- But no to that point your league has been very fortunate no work stoppages since 1987 to remember that. And it was a fifty game season so wasn't that bad -- two games to. Games we didn't have the real NFL players. We keep hearing about 2010. And how could be an uncapped season do you think you'll get to that point or do you believe. Since you guys have opted out of the CPA that you can come to an agreement. Before we get to the the scary thought of it and uncapped season in 2010."

[22:19]" Well it's my intent to try to do everything I can do to help. Internment system and keep it going. It's it's gotten Ottawa. And no no -- life is good. Is if if if one side is giving millions you're a little bit it's okay. By the way we're structured as league -- To continue. Playing under the conditions were applying. Those wild Tyler Lee. To be true -- and and you know it's whether it's marriage business or anything else -- both partners aren't going well. You're going to have a problem and rather let it get to a real disaster point -- try to fix it before it gets there and I think that's where we are now -- labor. The point is that the under the basic system. The businesses grown we've got a great partnership. With the players union. I think. Passing -- gene Upshaw. Will all complicate things even more because will be a lot of different agendas of people. Jockeying for position and we. We will have to. Just stay on the sidelines and hopefully someone there who above all as respectful of the game and doing a partnership and I know ownership will be here dutrow cooperative when we can."

[23:53]" Final question from me do you feel a certain synergy with the owners of the other professional sports franchises. In this area in this --"

[24:00]" You it's it's who who was think about what's going on the world won't think about what's going on. In the New England area with the franchises and it's it's great. I mean. Have going to have a little. It's. Anniversary celebration party and only only showed up and actually was in my. Over the Celtics playoff games so. There's a great camaraderie and camaraderie in the stone we do enjoy. The success of one another I don't see your it is. Taking away from anything if anything it's just an enhancement. It makes people feel good. It makes people want to bring in with each of us in different ways. And and can have a great sense of pride in the town and and region. And and I think so. We're very fortunate. To have this period and please go."

[25:00]" Continue to do yet we ask you this every year have to continue that tradition which would like to share with -- bill politics contract. One. Consumers -- after yesterday. And I and -- I didn't listen to buy recommendation before my recommendation was that -- not -- room. Felt -- saying that I did it lets me. Well I think the you know we're lucky. Well. Consider. This coach in the he should be here for well. So five yourself what."

[25:47]" What what what was the phrase you said a few minutes ago god god willing them like that yes. They've sort of thing thank you very much for being with a -- kicking off our owners series this week it's always fun to talk with you thankless always and thank you goodness well. Patriots owner Robert Kraft joining us here on Sports Radio WE yeah."