Letters spelled out possible FBI role for original Patriots owner Sullivan

The original Patriot, it turns out, unwittingly became a prospective FBI informant.

Five months before Billy Sullivan became the founding owner of the Patriots in 1959, FBI director J. Edgar Hoover recommended that the special agent in charge of the bureau's Boston office consider developing Sullivan as "an SAC contact," or source of information, according to an internal memo obtained by the Globe from the FBI under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act. ("SAC" means "special agent in charge.")

Hoover made the recommendation after Sullivan thanked him in writing for a guided tour Sullivan's family received of the FBI headquarters in Washington.

"I don't imagine the occasion will ever present itself when the sender of this note may be of any service to your dedicated group of men," Sullivan wrote to Hoover June 23, 1959, according to a copy of the letter the FBI released to the Globe. "Yet sometimes the wheel takes strange turns, and if we can be helpful in any way, as a partial courtesy for the great kindness extended to us, we would consider it a real privilege to be of service."

In a strange turn, indeed, Hoover reacted by trying to add Sullivan to a list of prominent SAC contacts he developed through the years. They included Walt Disney, NASCAR founder Bill France, and Joseph P. Kennedy. Their services purportedly included providing information and serving as liaisons between the FBI and other influential figures.

In Sullivan's case, his letter to Hoover arrived amid Cold War fears of nuclear conflict between the United States and Soviet Union. Hoover quickly replied.

"It was indeed kind of you to offer to be of service, and I am sincerely grateful," Hoover wrote to Sullivan, enclosing an FBI poster as a gift.

In turn, Sullivan sent a second letter of thanks July 2, 1959, telling Hoover his "fight against Communism is by all odds the most inspiring achievement of your numerous accomplishments."

Sullivan, who died in 1998 at the age of 82, was 43 at the time. A Lowell native, he had served in the Navy in World War II. He also had handled sports publicity for Boston College, Notre Dame, the US Naval Academy, and the Boston Braves, for whom he helped launch the Jimmy Fund.

In 1952, Sullivan went to Hollywood to establish a company that made sports films for television. He became an executive with the Boston-based Metropolitan Coal and Oil Co. in 1955, and he was the company's president in 1959 when he exchanged niceties with Hoover.

FBI records show the Boston office responded to Hoover's directive by initiating "a general inquiry" into Sullivan's background.

"However, one or two persons who are reportedly close to him have not been available for discreet contact," the special agent in charge of Boston wrote to Hoover Aug. 21, 1959. "Therefore, the question of his desirability as an SAC contact has not been resolved."

Sullivan, meanwhile, was laying the groundwork to buy the Boston franchise of the nascent American Football League. He bought the rights to the Patriots in November 1959 for $25,000 and announced in January 1960 that he had enlisted 10 fellow investors, including former Red Sox star Dom DiMaggio and businessmen such as Daniel Marr and Dean Boylan.

By then, Sullivan's role with the Patriots seemed to complicate Hoover's plans for him.

"Development of Mr. Sullivan has been delayed due to his extensive interests in the new professional football team at Boston," the Boston bureau chief wrote to Hoover April 11, 1960. "Because of his interests in the field of sports and due to the lack of complete identification of all persons associated with this venture, it is not felt that development of Mr. Sullivan as an SAC contact should proceed at this time. When the outcome of his sports interests and ventures are crystallized, it may be possible to consider Mr. Sullivan then."

There was no further reference to Sullivan in the FBI archives. He owned the Patriots until 1988.

Sullivan's son, Patrick, who was 7 years old when his five siblings and mother, Mary, joined their father on the FBI tour, expressed serious doubt that his father was volunteering to serve as an FBI informant when he wrote to Hoover. By all accounts, Billy Sullivan was a prolific letter writer, expressing gratitude for even the smallest act of kindness.

"I don't think he was offering Hoover anything except to return the favor," Patrick Sullivan said.

In 1959, Hoover enjoyed a favorable reputation, which later deteriorated amid allegations that he grossly abused his power. Patrick Sullivan speculated that Hoover enlisted business and civic leaders as SAC contacts to develop potential allies for political battles he might face.

"You can probably say that J. Edgar Hoover represented the scary part of democracy that people are so frightened about with big government," Patrick Sullivan said.