A 52-page lawsuit filed by Kraft Group and the New England Patriots seeks to undo Foxborough’s entertainment license renewal terms for Gillette Stadium, arguing the town exceeded its authority with administrative fees. The dispute follows an earlier March figh
The lawsuit lands like a second round in a fight that never really ended.
In April. Kraft Group and co-plaintiffs asked a court to void terms tied to Foxborough’s entertainment license renewal for Gillette Stadium. In the suit. they argue Foxborough’s conditions went beyond what the town is legally allowed to do—turning what should have been a routine renewal into something closer to a bill.
The legal challenge is tied to a broader, long-running tension between the Kraft family company and the Town of Foxborough. That relationship took on sudden national attention in March. when Foxborough’s Select Board members threatened to withhold the entertainment license needed to host the seven World Cup matches scheduled at Gillette Stadium unless the Kraft Group paid $7.8 million up front to cover security costs at the stadium.
Foxborough Select Board members argued that a small town should not be expected to cover security costs for a global sports tournament. The dispute was resolved to Foxborough’s liking after the Kraft Group pledged to underwrite the security costs. but the months-long dustup left lingering questions about Boston’s logistical and fundraising struggles—and about preparations for the massive event.
The new lawsuit claims Foxborough then used what should have been a routine April renewal as a pretext to charge the Kraft Sports about $1 million in new administrative fees. The suit says Foxborough has state authorization to charge the plaintiffs no more than $100 annually to renew the stadium’s entertainment license.
Foxborough has denied the premise. On Tuesday. the town fired back in a statement posted to its website. saying that. as part of the most recent entertainment license. it “implemented provisions requiring Kraft Sports & Entertainment to reimburse the Town for vital public safety and other municipal services necessary to support events held at Gillette Stadium.”.
The statement said these services are intended “to protect public health and safety and ensure that the Town is adequately prepared to manage large-scale events,” adding that “Foxborough residents should not be asked to subsidize the municipal costs associated with privately operated events.”
The town also argued that security needs for stadium events “are growing increasingly complex. ” and that the conditions of the license issued by the Select Board were carefully crafted to ensure the health and safety of fans. concert-goers. employees. and area residents. It said its position has stayed consistent throughout discussions with Kraft Sports + Entertainment’s representatives: “Foxborough residents should not be asked to subsidize the municipal costs associated with privately operated events.”.
The plaintiffs—Kraft Sports. co-plaintiffs New England Patriots LLC. Kraft Soccer LLC. and NPS LLC—are seeking a judicial order voiding the terms of the licensing renewal “to the extent they constitute a promise or obligation to pay financial consideration to Foxborough” in excess of the $100 renewal fee. except for “services rendered pursuant to freely negotiated contracts.”.
They also asked for “any and all further and other relief that the Court may deem just and appropriate at law or in equity.”
For Foxborough, the dispute is about who pays when public services scale up for big events. For the plaintiffs. the core question is whether the town is stepping beyond what the state allows—and whether it can reshape a renewal into something that effectively demands money above the limits set by law.
This story will be updated.
Kraft Group New England Patriots Foxborough Gillette Stadium entertainment license licensing fees administrative fees security costs World Cup Select Board lawsuit
So basically they’re suing over money again. Shocking.
I don’t get why the town needs to charge all these fees for a stadium license like… isn’t that the whole point? Also the $7.8 million thing made it sound like they were holding the World Cup hostage.
Wait, so Kraft says the town can only charge $100 a year but the town says no? How is it even allowed for the town to say one thing then do another like that? And $1 million in admin fees sounds made up, like somebody just picked a number.
This is messy. I swear these towns act like if you have a big stadium you automatically pay for everything, and then later they change the rules. If Foxborough already got the security money for the World Cup, why are they still digging for more fees?? Also 52-page lawsuit sounds like they’re trying to overwhelm people instead of just explaining it.