What punishment does Kraft face?
Robert Kraft could be suspended, have to a cut a big check, or possibly both.
On Friday, the New England Patriots owner was one of 25 men who were charged as part of a prostitution ring in Jupiter, Fla., in a case that also involves human trafficking. According to authorities, Kraft is on video paying women for sex acts at a day spa on two separate occasions and is facing two counts of soliciting a prostitute.
Kraft, like all of the NFL’s owners, players and personnel, is subject to the league’s personal conduct policy. In fact, the policy says that “ownership and club or league management have traditionally been held to a higher standard and will be subject to more significant discipline when violations of the Personal Conduct Policy occur.”
The most recent example of an owner being disciplined under the league’s policy came when Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was suspended in 2014 for six games and had to pay a $500,000 fine after he was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and for possession of a controlled substance. Irsay had oxycodone and/or hydrocodone in his system when he was pulled over for doing 10 mph in a 35 mph zone.
Irsay was also banned from being at the Colts facilities or any team or league functions.
This would be a gut-punch if it happened to Kraft, given that he’s one of the most visible owners in the league.
“It is a privilege to be part of the National Football League. Everyone who is part of the league must refrain from ‘conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in’ the NFL,” reads the opening paragraph of the personal conduct policy. “This includes owners, coaches, players, other team employees, game officials, and employees of the league office, NFL Films, NFL Network, or any other NFL business.”
After there is a possible violation of the policy, investigations by the league, law enforcement, or both will take place. After that, there is a trickledown effect that could include paid leave, placement on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, discipline from the league and/or team, panel hearings, and then a final decision that will come down from the commissioner.
The NFL released this statement on Friday evening: “The NFL is aware of the ongoing law enforcement matter and will continue to monitor developments.”
Kraft and commish Roger Goodell have a complicated history. The two were close friends — and strong allies on league matters — until Goodell fined the Patriots $1 million and took away a firstround draft pick over the Deflategate scandal in 2015. The scandal also cost Patriots star QB Tom Brady four games.
The last time an NFL owner was disciplined before Irsay was in 1999, when former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo was suspended for an entire season after being charged with gambling fraud. DeBartolo would sell the team to his sister, Denise DeBartolo York, and never regained control of the historic franchise.