NFL Rumors: Patriots' Robert Kraft Denied for 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft was reportedly passed over for a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2025.

According to ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr., a nine-member Hall of Fame committee chose NFL co-founder and former owner of the Canton Bulldogs Ralph Hay to be advanced for consideration by all 50 Hall voters.

Kraft has now been considered by a committee but failed to advance for 13 years, per Van Natta.

He was initially one of the nine semifinalists in the contributor category for the 2025 class, but the one finalist spot for consideration by the full committee will reportedly go to Hay.

Since Kraft took ownership of the Patriots in 1994, the team owns an overall record of 323-171 to go along with 22 playoff appearances and six Super Bowl victories.

Franchise icons such as former quarterback Tom Brady and former head coach Bill Belichick aren't able to earn spots in Canton just yet, but it's a certainty that they'll both receive recognition for their storied careers as soon as they're eligible.

As for Kraft, he still hasn't been able to earn consideration from the entire selection committee.

Van Natta reported on Sept. 11 that "no current owner has tried harder to get into the Hall" or "been denied longer" than Kraft. Several voters have referenced New England's "Spygate" scandal in 2007 as a reason to keep him out of the Hall.

"Some voters believe he was part of the biggest cheating scandal in NFL history," a veteran Hall voter told Van Natta. "That's a very tough one to overcome."

Pat Bowlen, the late owner of the Denver Broncos, was the last owner to be inducted into the Hall as part of the 2019 class.

Kraft's wait for Hall of Fame consideration will reportedly last another year.