New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft will not be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2026, sources told ESPN.Kraft, who bought the Patriots in 1994, has seen his team win six Super Bowls and play in four others — more than any other owner in NFL history. The Patriots will appear in a record-setting 12th Super Bowl on Feb. 8, when they face the Seattle Seahawks in a championship rematch. Former Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick, who was with the franchise for 24 years, was also a finalist for the Hall of Fame this year but did not make the cut. He parted ways with New England in 2024.Video Below: Kraft speaks on rising antisemitism, Super Bowl adAccording to the Hall of Fame’s policies, each of the finalists competes directly against the others for election. Each member of the Selection Committee may only vote for three of the five finalists, and a maximum of three can be elected. Belichick’s record as an NFL head coach is 333-178, including his five seasons with the Cleveland Browns. The NFL Hall of Fame released a statement amid the online backlash from the decision:”The Pro Football Hall of Fame understands and respects the passionate reaction of many fans, media members and enshrines of the Hall itself in light of published reports regarding the voting results for the Class of 2026.”It’s that very passion that propels the game.”The Hall also respects the members of the Selection Committee when they follow the selection process bylaws. It is an honor to serve as a selector.”Each year, the Hall reviews the selection process and the composition of the 50-person Selection Committee. If it is determined that any member(s) violated the selection process bylaws, they understand action will be taken.”That could include the possibility that such selector(s) would not remain a member of the committee moving forward.”The selection of a new class is the most important duty the Hall of Fame oversees each year, and the integrity of that process cannot be in question.”Video below: Kraft, Belichick split

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. —

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft will not be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2026, sources told ESPN.

Kraft, who bought the Patriots in 1994, has seen his team win six Super Bowls and play in four others — more than any other owner in NFL history. The Patriots will appear in a record-setting 12th Super Bowl on Feb. 8, when they face the Seattle Seahawks in a championship rematch.

Former Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick, who was with the franchise for 24 years, was also a finalist for the Hall of Fame this year but did not make the cut. He parted ways with New England in 2024.

Video Below: Kraft speaks on rising antisemitism, Super Bowl ad

According to the Hall of Fame’s policies, each of the finalists competes directly against the others for election. Each member of the Selection Committee may only vote for three of the five finalists, and a maximum of three can be elected.

Belichick’s record as an NFL head coach is 333-178, including his five seasons with the Cleveland Browns.

The NFL Hall of Fame released a statement amid the online backlash from the decision:

“The Pro Football Hall of Fame understands and respects the passionate reaction of many fans, media members and enshrines of the Hall itself in light of published reports regarding the voting results for the Class of 2026.

“It’s that very passion that propels the game.

“The Hall also respects the members of the Selection Committee when they follow the selection process bylaws. It is an honor to serve as a selector.

“Each year, the Hall reviews the selection process and the composition of the 50-person Selection Committee. If it is determined that any member(s) violated the selection process bylaws, they understand action will be taken.

“That could include the possibility that such selector(s) would not remain a member of the committee moving forward.

“The selection of a new class is the most important duty the Hall of Fame oversees each year, and the integrity of that process cannot be in question.”

Video below: Kraft, Belichick split