Sullivan inducted into team's Hall
William H. "Billy" Sullivan Jr., the Patriots' original and longtime owner, has been inducted posthumously into the Patriots Hall of Fame, the franchise announced today.
“Billy Sullivan made professional football a reality in New England,” said Patriots owner Robert Kraft. “We are celebrating the Patriots’ 50th season and all of the wonderful memories we have as fans of the Patriots. Without Billy Sullivan, the Patriots would not exist. I hope this recognition will ensure that Patriots fans never forget his contributions.”
On Nov. 16, 1959, Sullivan was awarded the eighth and final charter franchise of the American Football League. With nine other investors, he sold non-voting public stock in the franchise to raise capital to help post the franchise fee of $25,000.
In 1975, Sullivan purchased additional stock to become majority owner. In 1976, he purchased all the remaining non-voting stock in the team. He owned the Patriots through 1988, when he sold the franchise to Victor Kiam. Sullivan died Feb. 23, 1998 at age 82.
Sullivan is the first contributor to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, which was previously comprised of 13 players, with a 14th to be selected by fans this year. The Patriots are celebrating their 50th anniversary season through a series of acknowledgments and dedications.
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Honoring Billy Sullivan in any way is disgusting. He cheated the other investors when he bought them out. He is simply a thief.
Classy move by Robert Kraft.
How do you cheat investors when you multiply their original investment many times over?
Why was he just now put in here?
classy move: i agree
You cheat your fellow investors when you pay them far less than their shares are worth when you force them out. They took the same risk that Sullivan did, but they did not benefit to the same degree that he did.
Mr Billy Sullivan loved the Patriots and I respect a lot Mr Robert Kraft for this gesture
very very classy
Very confused Philip King. The man started the Jimmy Fund, he deserves this recognition. Should he feel cheated by Orthwein and Kraft for benefiting more than he did because he sold at a time of no labor peace and lower TV deals? Of course not.
Started the Jimmy Fund? You may be thinking of Yawkey. It is easy to confuse the two disastrous owners whose names should live in infamy. But even Yawkey did not start the Jimmy Fund, and the sports team involved was the Boston Braves.
On Billy Sullivan you should see the SI article from 1988.
http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1067102/1/index.htm
Two judges decided that Sullivan cheated his partners.
Dear Mike,
Since I have now posted here twice a reference to a SI article about Billy Sullivan, and it has not appeared on the page, I assume you are refusing to post it.
Could you explain to me why?
Philip King
Hi Philip. Comments that include a link often end up in the junk folder without me knowing it. I saw your comment and fished it out. Thanks. The main thing I monitor here is bad language.
--Mike
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
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