Few people have impacted the fortune and legacy of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft quite like Tom Brady. Brady not only became the face of the Patriots franchise, but also one of the most marketable athletes in sports history, leading the team to a record-tying six Super Bowl victories.
So, when the opportunity came to add some exclusive Brady memorabilia to his collection, it’s no surprise Kraft didn’t hesitate to spend big.
This week, Kraft made headlines after purchasing a mint-condition Tom Brady rookie card from the year 2000, complete with Brady’s autograph, for a staggering $120,000. What made the moment even more special was that Kraft made the purchase with Brady sitting right next to him at Sotheby’s auction house. According to ProFootballTalk, Kraft’s winning bid was just one part of a larger auction, where four Brady cards collectively sold for more than $800,000.
While Kraft’s purchase might seem fitting given his deep connection with the legendary quarterback, NFL fans had plenty to say about the big buy. Many took to social media to poke fun at the hefty price tag and wondered why Kraft would even need to buy Brady memorabilia in the first place, given their long-standing relationship.
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Some fans couldn’t help but joke about how little $120,000 means to someone as wealthy as Kraft. One user quipped, “As far as percentage of income, this is sorta like me buying my son’s finger-paint picture at the grade school fundraiser. Except my money would go to an entity that could use it.”
Others speculated whether the purchase was truly for Kraft, or if it might have been a gift for Brady. “What are the chances he was just buying it for Tom? Don’t want to be seen buying your own card,” one fan mused, suggesting that Brady might have been the intended recipient.
Another fan raised a practical question about the purchase, wondering why Kraft didn’t just take a simpler route. “Genuinely, why not just buy an unsigned card and ask Tom to sign it for you?” they asked, pointing out that Brady could have easily personalized the card for Kraft without the need for a high-priced auction bid.
While some viewed the purchase as a potential waste of money, others recognized that $120,000 is barely a drop in the bucket for someone like Kraft, whose estimated net worth exceeds $10 billion. To put it in perspective, Kraft’s expenditure on the Brady card is a fraction of what he’s earned over the years thanks to Brady’s leadership on the field, not to mention the increased franchise value and revenue generated by the Patriots’ dynasty.
Still, the purchase has stirred debate over whether it was truly necessary for Kraft, a man who likely has direct access to plenty of Brady memorabilia. Was the price justified by the sentimental value attached to the card? Or was it simply a sign of the lengths even the wealthiest collectors will go to in order to secure a piece of sports history?
Regardless of the reaction from fans, the card will likely hold significant meaning for Kraft, who played a pivotal role in Brady’s rise from an overlooked sixth-round pick to arguably the greatest quarterback of all time. And with Brady by his side during the auction, the moment symbolized more than just a memorabilia purchase—it was a reflection of the bond between an owner and the player who redefined his franchise’s legacy.
For Kraft, the $120,000 spent on the rookie card likely pales in comparison to the countless millions Brady helped him earn over the years.
And for fans, it’s a reminder that even the most successful team owners aren’t immune to the allure of collecting memorabilia that holds personal significance, no matter the price.
