New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been named a finalist for the 2027 Pro Football Hall of Fame class, the Hall of Fame announced Wednesday. This marks Kraft's second chance at induction, after he and longtime head coach Bill Belichick fell short of the required votes for the 2026 class.
Kraft is one of five nominees on the contributor ballot, joined by Ralph Hay, Virginia McCaskey, Doug Williams, and John Wooten. The contributor subcommittee will convene on November 17 to select one candidate for consideration by the full selection committee for enshrinement in the Class of 2027.
Hay, who owned the Canton Bulldogs from 1918 to 1922, and McCaskey, who owned the Chicago Bears from 1983 until her death in 2025 at age 102, are among the other finalists. Williams was the first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl and game MVP, while Wooten has extensive experience in scouting and player personnel after a nine-year playing career and led the Fritz-Pollard Alliance.
Kraft has been the owner of the Patriots since 1994, during which time the team has appeared in 11 Super Bowls and won six championships. He has also held significant leadership roles on NFL owner committees, notably chairing the Broadcast and Media Committees, where he played a part in developing the league's media business and global partnerships.
The Class of 2027 will be finalized before Super Bowl 2027 and inducted in Canton, Ohio, in August 2027.