Bestselling author, investigative journalist and Connecticut native Jeff Benedict joins CT Mirror for a conversation on “the definitive inside story of the New England Patriots — the greatest sports dynasty of the 21st century.”
Benedict explores the chain of events that led to the convergence of Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady in Foxborough and offers his insights on the Patriots’ aborted relocation to Hartford in 1999 as Gov. John Rowland attempted to bring professional sports back to the state following the departure of its lone franchise, the NHL’s Hartford Whalers.
Perhaps most intriguing, Benedict discusses his investigation of whether the ill-fated move was ever truly going to happen. (Hint: It wasn’t Kraft who finally convinced the Massachusetts legislature to make a competing offer for the Patriots to stay in the Bay State. It was an up-and-coming NFL executive named Roger Goodell.)
Benedict also shares inside perspective on how Kraft, Belichick and Brady ended up developing relationships with influential figures outside of sports, like former President Donald J. Trump, recording artist Jay-Z and others.
The conversation is moderated by CT Mirror’s John Dankosky, a longtime public radio veteran in Connecticut.
Benedict’s latest book, “The Dynasty,” is now available in paperback.