New England Patriots

Trademark

The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and one of the most successful franchises in the NFL.

Last updated October 30, 2026

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Overview

The New England Patriots are a professional American football franchise based in the Greater Boston area, playing home games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The team competes in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) East division. Founded in 1959 as the Boston Patriots, the franchise was a charter member of the American Football League (AFL) and joined the NFL in 1970 as part of the AFL–NFL merger. The team was renamed the New England Patriots in 1971 and moved to Foxborough in 1971, eventually settling into what is now Gillette Stadium in 2002. The Patriots are owned by Robert Kraft, who purchased the team in 1994 through the Kraft Group. Under Kraft's ownership, the franchise has become one of the most valuable and successful in the NFL. The team's most successful period came from 2001 to 2019, when quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick led the Patriots to six Super Bowl championships (2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016, and 2018 seasons) and nine Super Bowl appearances. The Patriots have also won 17 AFC East division titles and appeared in the playoffs in 17 of 19 seasons from 2001 to 2019. The Patriots' brand extends beyond the football field. The team has a strong national and international following, and its merchandise is among the top-selling in the NFL. The franchise operates the New England Patriots Radio Network, which carries live game broadcasts across a network of radio stations throughout New England and beyond. The network's flagship station is WBZ-FM in Boston, and the broadcast team includes play-by-play announcer Bob Socci, color commentator Scott Zolak, and sideline reporters Matt Chatham and Steve Burton. The radio network has a long history, with Gil Santos, known as the "Voice of the New England Patriots," serving as the play-by-play announcer until his retirement after the 2012 season. The Patriots are also known for their community involvement and philanthropic efforts through the Kraft Family Foundation and the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation. The team's brand is closely tied to the New England region, and its logo—a stylized profile of a minuteman—is one of the most recognizable in American sports. The Patriots' success on the field, combined with strong ownership and marketing, has made them a model franchise in the NFL.

History

The New England Patriots were founded in 1959 as the Boston Patriots, a charter member of the American Football League (AFL). The team played in various stadiums in the Boston area, including Fenway Park and Harvard Stadium, before settling at Foxboro Stadium in 1971, the same year the franchise was renamed the New England Patriots to reflect its regional fan base. The Patriots joined the NFL in 1970 as part of the AFL–NFL merger. The early years were marked by financial struggles and inconsistent performance. The team was sold multiple times, and in 1988 it was purchased by Victor Kiam, who later sold it to James Orthwein in 1992. In 1994, Robert Kraft, a local businessman who had owned Foxboro Stadium, purchased the team, keeping it in New England. Kraft's ownership brought stability and a renewed focus on winning. The Patriots' fortunes changed dramatically in 2000 when Kraft hired Bill Belichick as head coach and drafted quarterback Tom Brady in the sixth round. The duo led the team to its first Super Bowl victory in the 2001 season (Super Bowl XXXVI), defeating the St. Louis Rams. This began a dynasty that would see the Patriots win six Super Bowls (2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016, 2018) and appear in nine, including a perfect 16–0 regular season in 2007. The team also won 17 AFC East titles during this period. In 2002, the Patriots opened Gillette Stadium, a state-of-the-art facility in Foxborough that also houses the team's headquarters and practice facilities. The stadium has been a cornerstone of the team's brand and game-day experience. After Tom Brady departed in 2020, the Patriots entered a transitional phase. Belichick and the team parted ways after the 2023 season, and Jerod Mayo was named head coach in 2024. Despite these changes, the Patriots remain one of the most valuable and recognizable brands in the NFL, with a strong regional following and national appeal.

2024
Jerod Mayo named head coach after Bill Belichick's departure.
2020
Tom Brady departed in free agency.
2019
Won sixth Super Bowl (LIII).
2017
Won fifth Super Bowl (LI).
2015
Won fourth Super Bowl (XLIX).
2005
Won third Super Bowl in four years (XXXIX).
2004
Won second Super Bowl in three years (XXXVIII).
2002
Gillette Stadium opened.
2002
Won first Super Bowl (XXXVI) for the 2001 season.
2000
Bill Belichick hired as head coach; Tom Brady drafted.
1994
Robert Kraft purchased the team.
1971
Renamed the New England Patriots and moved to Foxboro Stadium.
1970
Joined the NFL as part of the AFL–NFL merger.
1959
Founded as the Boston Patriots, a charter member of the American Football League.

Products and positioning

A premier NFL franchise with a winning tradition, strong regional identity, and national brand recognition.

NFL game tickets
Official team merchandise
Radio broadcasts
Stadium tours

Controversies

2020
New England Patriots fined over COVID-19 protocol violations
According to an ESPN report, the New England Patriots were fined $350,000 for COVID-19 protocol violations connected to positive coronavirus tests among players.
Source
2020
NFL penalizes the New England Patriots over unauthorized filming
The NFL fined the New England Patriots $1.1 million and required the team to forfeit its third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft after members of its TV team were seen recording from the Cincinnati Bengals' press box during a game the previous season.
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