Patriots Owner Names One Major NFL Trend He Won't Follow
Robert Kraft is always looking for a competitive advantage. And as an increasing number of cold weather teams ditch their outdoor stadiums for the comforts of controlled climates, the New England Patriots owner has appeared to find another way to usurp his rivals.
In a recent interview on "The Sports Hub" in Boston, the six-time Super Bowl winner says he will never build a domed stadium. It's a belief that Kraft says he's held for the majority of his ownership.
He bought the Patriots in 1994 for a then-record $172 million (the franchise is now valued over $9 billion).
"When I bought the team, and I realized Buffalo had gone to four straight Super Bowls the year before we bought, it made me realize that I didn’t want to have a dome," he said. "Even they didn’t win any [Super Bowls], they won games, because the players don’t like coming up into a cold place like that. How many of these indoor teams in the playoffs want to come here and play outdoors?"
The Patriots benefitted from their opponents' aversion to cold temps again and again during their dynastic run, a trend that's continued this postseason. The Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Texans both looked hapless in visits to frigid Foxobrough this month.
Kraft said it's a crucial advantage that doesn't cost extra money, a necessity in a capped league.
"With a salary cap, you’ve gotta get every competitive advantage you can," he said.
Robert Kraft on if he would ever build a dome at Gillette Stadium @ZoandBertrand
— 98.5 The Sports Hub (@985TheSportsHub) January 20, 2026
"Buffalo had gone to four straight Super Bowls the year before we bought, and it made me realize that I never wanted to have a dome.
"I don't know that I've ever said that publicly." pic.twitter.com/Wr7EKWUsCX
Cold Weather Teams Moving Indoors
While the Bills are building a new outdoor stadium, several other teams in the Northeast and Midwest intend to play inside. The Cleveland Browns (2029), Washington Commanders (2030) and Kansas City Chiefs (2031) have already confirmed they're moving to domed facilities, and the Chicago Bears plan to follow suit.
The Bears' ambitions in particular have been a source of controversy. In addition to playing indoors, ownership says it wants to break ground in either the Chicago suburbs or Northwest Indiana, unhappy with local lawmakers' refusal to acquiesce to demands for public assistance in infrastructure.
During the Bears' surprise playoff run, which included two classic games at freezing Soldier Field, fans lamented ownership's desire to move their beloved team.
Can’t even remotely imagine wanting to be in Indiana over this https://t.co/z3xk1wWpWd
— Liddle Tina (@liddle_ktina) January 13, 2026
If current plans around the league are finalized, 18 of 32 teams will eventually play inside.
Kraft the Benefactor
For decades, Kraft has taken a different approach than his billionaire peers when it comes to stadium construction. Gillette Stadium is the only privately financed stadium in the league, a fact that he often points out.
"As a family, we look at this like our home," he said. "We do some maintenance. It’s not some government entity running it. I’m proud of this stadium compared to other publicly funded stadiums. Please God, I hope we have many more playoff games here in the future."
The Patriots will play the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Sunday at 3:00 p.m. EST. Speaking of home field advantage, they've never won a playoff game in Denver. They're hoping Sunday is the first.