Sources - HOF committee passes over Patriots' Robert Kraft again - ESPN

Robert Kraft, the six-time Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots owner considered a favorite for the 2025 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has been passed over once again by the Hall's contributor committee, sources told ESPN.

Instead, the nine-member committee, which each year advances one name for consideration by all 50 Hall voters, chose Ralph Hay, a co-founder of the National Football League and the owner of the Canton Bulldogs from 1918 to 1922, five sources with knowledge of the decision told ESPN this week.

The contributor committee's decision was made Nov. 12 and is expected to be announced by the Hall of Fame next month. Hay, along with one coaching candidate and three candidates from an earlier NFL era whose names still have not been revealed, will be considered by the full selection committee for the Hall in January 2025.

In response to questions from ESPN, the Hall of Fame released a statement Thursday, saying the names of all the finalists will be «announced jointly in early December, once all committees have held their selection meetings.»

The Patriots' longtime spokesperson, Stacey James, declined to comment when reached by ESPN.

This year marks the 13th year that Kraft, now 83, was considered by a Hall committee but failed to advance out of committee. Eighty percent of the voters must approve the nominated finalists for induction into the Hall in Canton, Ohio.

Several voters told ESPN they were surprised that the committee did not make Kraft a finalist this year. After the Hall split the coaches and contributors into separate categories, some voters said they believed Kraft had an easier path to induction.

«It's a huge surprise,» said one source, who insisted on anonymity. «And it's very