Did Patriots Book, Documentary Hurt Robert Kraft’s HOF Candidacy?

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft absolutely should be a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame but hasn’t been selected for enshrinement despite the fact he’s been campaigning for over a decade.

Why?

ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr. did a deep dive on the reason and came to a conclusion that might be a bit more obvious than many in New England would care to admit:

Voters also saw — as did many Patriots fans and some former players — two major media projects as pro-Kraft narratives: a bestselling 2020 book, “The Dynasty,” and the Apple TV+ 10-part docuseries of the same name released last winter. Both projects depicted Kraft deftly managing the egos of two all-time greats, coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady, to keep the hit-making band together as long as possible.

Some voters told ESPN they believe both projects were intended to juice Kraft’s Hall of Fame candidacy. A Patriots spokesperson adamantly denied the projects were part of any push to get Kraft into Canton. And last winter, Kraft said he had no influence on the docuseries and was “disappointed” with the film.

Kraft’s involvement in “The Dynasty” certainly rubbed people the wrong way, but it might have had even more damaging effects. Van Natta shared that the Patriots sent copies of the book to at least five Hall of Fame voters as an argument for Kraft’s induction, which left a sour taste in the mouths of the voters.

Kraft’s pathway to Canton, Ohio will be much easier moving forward, as the museum’s board of directors separated coaches and contributors for consideration. Mike Shanahan and Mike Holmgren, who are considered to be the coaching favorites, will no longer be competing against Kraft and other contributors.

The Patriots could soon be celebrating Kraft’s enshrinement, but the process might have moved along quicker if not for the 83-year-old’s perceived “push” to get in.