Robert Kraft is a prominent entrepreneur and philanthropist well-known for his contributions to sports, business, and philanthropy. As the owner of the New England Patriots and the New England Revolution, he has made a significant impact on the world of professional sports. Aside from his success in sports management, Kraft is also an accomplished businessman who has built a vast empire with diverse interests. He is an important figure that students can study to learn valuable lessons about perseverance, hard work, business acumen, and giving back to society.

Early Life and Education

Robert Kraft was born on June 5, 1941, in Brookline, Massachusetts. His parents were observant Jews who taught him the value of working hard and giving back to the community. After completing high school, Kraft attended Columbia University on a scholarship and graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor’s degree in history. He later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1965.

Students can explore Kraft’s early life to understand how his background influenced his values and contributed to his future success. His pursuit of education exemplifies the importance of academic achievement for personal and professional growth.

Career

Robert Kraft’s business career began at Rand-Whitney Group, a packaging company owned by his father-in-law. After gaining experience in the industry, he founded International Forest Products (IFP) in 1972. Under his leadership, IFP grew into one of the largest privately-owned paper trading companies worldwide. In addition to IFP and Rand-Whitney Group, Kraft also formed The Kraft Group – an umbrella organization for various other ventures like real estate developments, venture investing, and sports franchises.

In 1994, he acquired the New England Patriots NFL team for $172 million – then a record price for an NFL franchise. Despite initial doubts about his bid, Kraft transformed the Patriots into one of the most successful and dominating teams in NFL history. He also owns the New England Revolution, a Major League Soccer team.

Teaching students about Kraft’s business career allows them to discover the importance of vision, determination, and strategic thinking in achieving success. They can also learn about the qualities that define a great leader and how those traits can be applied to different industries.

Philanthropy

One of Robert Kraft’s core values is giving back to the community. He has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to various causes, such as education, healthcare, social services, and support for Israel. Kraft has also demonstrated commitment to disaster relief efforts globally and funded programs that promote cultural understanding between different groups.

When teaching about Robert Kraft’s philanthropic work, it is essential to show students that successful individuals have a responsibility to contribute to society and help create positive change. Students can learn about the immense impact a single person can make by using their wealth and influence for good.