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Patriots owner Robert Kraft: ‘I’d like to apologize to the fans’ 07.25.11 at 3:09 pm ET
By

Robert Kraft (AP)

Here’s the complete transcript of the comments made by Patriots owner Robert Kraft at Monday’s press conference in Washington, D.C. that announced the end of the NFL lockout:

“I’d like to apologize to the fans, that for the last five, six months we’ve been talking about the business of football, not what goes on on the field in each market. But the end result is we’ve been able to have an agreement that will allow this sport to flourish over the next decade. We’ve done that in a way that is unique among the major sports — every team in our league, all 32, will be competitive. We’ve improved player safety and we’ve remembered the players who’ve played in the past.

“I want to give a special compliment to Commissioner Goodell and De Smith, because the commissioner has to deal with 32 tough and demanding owners. He’s been able to keep that balance, but DeMaurice Smith has come in and he’s managing 1,900 players. A bunch of different professionals, it’s a new CBA with tricky language, and he was able to keep all those things going and come up with an agreement that he and Roger did together with their two teams.

“Lastly, what kept me at the table the last four-and-a-half months was seeing the players who represented the player representatives, who represented the league’s players. They didn’t just look at the short-term interests of their own playing careers, but they looked long-term, especially Jeff Saturday and Domonique Foxworth. I was so impressed with them, that they acted as principals at the table, looking out what was good for the game.

“I believe you’re going to see a very great NFL over the next decade and I hope we gave a little lesson to the people in Washington because the debt crisis is a lot easier to fix than this deal was. Thank you.”

Read More: DeMaurice Smith, Domonique Foxworth, Jeff Saturday, lockout Print  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • Tom Connolly

    Just like that. String us along with the lockout BS then suck up to the Money Pigs. I say the NFL & NFLPA owe the FANS a big ass APOLOGY

    I’ve been posting this and other similar rants for a while now…I’d like to think Bobb y Boy read this post and considered it worthy. In any event, it takes a big man to stand up and apologize to the fans who ultimately pay the bills. While dealing with the loss of his wife. Reason # 1 why the Pat’s are a winning team: Robert Kraft ! Apology accepted sir.

    Players and NFL…are you seeing this man?

  • ray lee

    As is always the case, the fans are always the ones left out in the cold.I doubt very much that you will see more affordable ticket prices, concessions caps and apparrel.Fans always end up paying more to support their favorite teams. I wonder if the players and owners ever give that any consideration.Considering the state of the country, the players and owners should be more appreciative fans who have any extra money to go to the games.

  • Bob

    How about giving us our money for these pre-season games back and cut the parking price down. That is what we want – not a statement I could make through Twitter. Can’t even sell pre-season game on the Patriots website…that is crap! I knew the ticket holders would get screwed.

  • The General

    Hey Bob, If you don’t like buying the tickets then kindly get out of the way so that someone else can buy them! And while you’re at it quit BITCHIN!!! B’YATCH

  • Phil

    Kraft for President!

  • Bob

    Hey General – go bang yourself, you can’t afford the tickets working the counter at Burger King, when you become a man – you will see for yourself. For now, just keep getting the Standing Room Only tickets. Screw!

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