The progressive face of the Democratic Social gathering, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, simply handed an enormous victory to the sort of individual she has repeatedly bashed — a billionaire sports activities staff proprietor who’s friends with President Donald Trump.
Ultimately, Robert Kraft, proprietor of the New England Patriots and New England Revolution, bought what he needed — an enormous stadium mission on an industrial website in Everett for his soccer staff — as a result of Wu allowed it.
Wu and the Kraft Group reached a deal that may convey $48 million to the town over the following 15 years, thanks largely to a $1 surcharge on soccer ticket holders and 1.5% surcharge on live performance goers’ tickets.
Kraft additionally agreed to fund “all public security and transportation administration prices for stadium occasions.” Wu referred to as it a “honest deal” for Boston residents.
However the $750,000 initially provided by Kraft to Boston was by no means a critical supply — it was simply an preliminary bargaining place.
“These agreements mirror years of collaboration with metropolis leaders and group stakeholders to make sure the mission delivers significant, lasting advantages for residents whereas addressing transportation, environmental and municipal impacts,” the Kraft Group mentioned in an announcement.
To get the deal executed, Wu, who has repeatedly trashed Trump and billionaires, ignored the Kraft-Trump bromance and the truth that Kraft’s son, Josh, ran in opposition to her within the 2025 mayor’s race.
Trump and Kraft have lavished reward on one another and Kraft has even donated cash to his presidential marketing campaign, however that reality didn’t cease Wu from blocking the stadium.
She did drive Kraft to pony up extra mitigation cash for the town, however finally Wu capitulated to Kraft, who only a few weeks in the past was the topic of Trump’s admiration and has referred to as the Republican president misunderstood and a great man.
“Individuals who don’t know him don’t see the higher aspect,” Kraft mentioned of Trump in 2017. “I actually consider he desires to make this nation higher…
“I need to do all the pieces I can to assist him assist this nation.”
Kraft’s spouse, Dr. Dana Blumberg, was appointed to the Kennedy Middle for the Performing Arts board of trustees by Trump and supported the renaming of the cultural establishment to the Trump-Kennedy Middle.
Kraft attended a gathering of Trump supporters and the president in Palm Seashore when the identify change was introduced.
Throughout her mayoral marketing campaign in opposition to Kraft — earlier than he dropped out — Wu referred to as on him to return contributions from a regulation agency linked to President Trump, saying Kraft’s marketing campaign was “propped up by billionaires, Trump donors, and legal professionals engaged in implementing Donald Trump’s anti-Boston agenda.”
Wu might have delayed the stadium mission for months longer, probably even killing it. However maybe she was involved it might appear to be political retribution if she had taken a agency stand in opposition to it.
Now, Kraft has his soccer stadium — pending ultimate approvals. And he doesn’t have Wu standing in his method.
