NFL Dynasty Traced to Michael Jackson

(MYFOX NATIONAL) - The New England Patriots have been the dominant NFL franchise this decade as they've won three Super Bowls, and they can thank Michael Jackson in part for their success.

According to the Boston Globe , the Sullivan family, who had owned the then-struggling franchise since its inception in 1960, sold the Patriots to Remington Razor owner Victor Kiam in 1986, but maintained ownership of Foxboro Stadium so they could start a concert promotions business.

The promotion company went on to back Jackson and his brothers on their Victory Tour. But when the tour was a flop, the Sullivans were forced to sell the stadium.

Enter Robert Kraft. Kraft outbid Kiam by $9 million and bought the stadium for $25 million in 1988. Kraft also had his eye on buying the team, and in 1994, after James Orthwein, who had bought the team from Kiam was unsuccessful in a bid to move the the franchise to St. Louis, Kraft bought the team for $172 million.

Had the Sullivans' concert promotion business not flopped, Kraft may never have gotten his hands on both the stadium and the team and brought the Patriots to their golden age.

This Forbes article from 2005 takes a closer look at Kraft and his fondness for the Jackson family.