If he wanted to host the Super Bowl in his new facility — which he did — he'd have to build a dome. But Kraft wasn’t a fan of indoor football, and without weather involvement, he knew his team would lose its natural advantage of playing in the Northeast.
So Kraft has long since come to peace with the notion that Gillette won't get its shot to host a Super Bowl. Even still, he helped back the NFL's effort to play the 2014 Super Bowl in New York/New Jersey.
"I think the time for that has passed," Kraft said Thursday when asked if he could bring a Super Bowl to New England. "We talked about, when we were building the stadium, putting in a roof, asking for a Super Bowl. At that time, that would have been the only way we would have gotten it. I'm basically a traditionalist. I think football should be played outdoors.
"I actually took an active role in helping to get the Super Bowl in New York because I just think it will be one of the most memorable Super Bowls of all time. We'd love to have a game here [in New England], but I'm not sure that’s in the cards. I really pushed [the New York effort] because, first of all, I think it's the right thing for the [Jets and Giants'] ownership groups, who really, in this economic environment, put their heads out there.
"For me, it's the symbolism of saying New York/New Jersey is back after 9/11. I think this is the greatest sporting event in the world in my opinion. New York is the financial center of the world, and no matter what happens, we're back. I'm excited that it happened, and I hope we're in the game because it might give us a little competitive edge. I'm happy it's in New York."
