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Time of India
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
How Donald Trump was blocked from buying the Patriots—and what the NFL may have avoided
Donald Trump once aimed to own the New England Patriots (Getty Images) Long before he was president or a polarizing political figure, Donald Trump came close to becoming an NFL team owner. In 1988, he had his sights set on the New England Patriots, a franchise in financial chaos following a disastrous investment by its owners, the Sullivan family. Trump appeared poised to swoop in and save the day—but the NFL had other plans. The Patriots were in deep trouble, and Donald Trump was ready to buy In the late 1980s, the Patriots were a struggling franchise teetering on the edge. The Sullivan family, desperate after losing millions on a failed Jacksons concert tour investment, began looking for a buyer. Donald Trump quickly stepped up and secured exclusive negotiating rights. He even promised to keep the team in New England, which reassured fans and local leadership. Everything looked like it was lining up for Trump. He had the money. He had the access. But he didn't have the support of the other NFL owners. Donald Trump's USFL history turned NFL owners against him To understand why the deal fell apart, you have to rewind to Trump's role in the downfall of the USFL, a short-lived league that tried to challenge the NFL. In 1983, Trump bought the New Jersey Generals and pushed the USFL to go head-to-head with the NFL by moving to a fall schedule. He also led the league into an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL. The USFL technically won—but was awarded just $3 in damages. The league collapsed shortly after, and most NFL owners blamed Trump. So when he came knocking again in 1988, they weren't interested. According to many NFL executives 'loathed' Trump. Despite having a two-week exclusive window, he never submitted a formal bid, likely realizing he wouldn't get the required votes from existing owners. Only a few supported him, including former Browns owner Art Modell—but it wasn't nearly enough. The Patriots were sold—and an NFL dynasty was born Trump walked away, and the Patriots were eventually sold to Victor Kiam for $84 million. Six years later, Robert Kraft bought the team and led them into the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era that would define modern NFL dominance. Trump would try again in 2014, this time with the Buffalo Bills—but lost out to the Pegula family. He also passed on buying the Dallas Cowboys in the '80s, calling them a 'sure money loser'—a comment that now reads like one of the worst misjudgments in sports business history. Also Read: 'The death of my dream': Gisele Bündchen's tearful interview marked a turning point in her healing journey after Tom Brady divorce What if Trump had succeeded? Would Belichick and Brady still have joined the Patriots? The NFL dodged a bullet—or missed a massive what-if—depending on who you ask. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
National Post
07-07-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Dallas Cowboys all-pro arrested on marijuana and weapon charges
All-Pro return man KaVontae Turpin of the Cowboys was arrested in a Dallas suburb on misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession and unlawful carrying of a weapon, authorities said Sunday. Article content Turpin was arrested by police in Allen on Saturday. The 28-year-old is out of jail on bond. There is no record of an attorney for Turpin. The team declined to comment. Article content Article content The former TCU standout is going into his fourth season with the Cowboys and recently signed an $18-million, three-year contract. Article content Turpin's TCU career ended in 2018 when he was kicked off the team after the school found out about a second domestic violence case against him. The case from New Mexico was discovered following an alleged incident with his girlfriend at an off-campus apartment in Fort Worth. Both cases involved the same woman. Article content The Cowboys signed Turpin out of the USFL in 2022. He had played in several satellite football leagues before joining the USFL. Article content Turpin secured his spot on the team by returning a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns in a 2022 preseason game. He was one of the best return men in the NFL his first two years, but didn't have any returns for TDs until his All-Pro season in 2024. Turpin returned a punt and a kickoff for scores last season. Turpin's role as a receiver has grown, and first-year coach Brian Schottenheimer, who will call the plays on offence, has indicated the speedy and diminutive player will be targeted more often in his scheme. Article content
CNN
07-07-2025
- Sport
- CNN
Cowboys return man KaVontae Turpin arrested on marijuana and weapon charges
All-Pro return man KaVontae Turpin of the Cowboys was arrested in a Dallas suburb on misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession and unlawful carrying of a weapon, authorities said Sunday. Turpin was arrested by police in Allen on Saturday. The 28-year-old is out of jail on bond. There is no record of an attorney for Turpin. The team declined to comment. The former TCU standout is going into his fourth season with the Cowboys and recently signed an $18 million, three-year contract. Turpin's TCU career ended in 2018 when he was kicked off the team after the school found out about a second domestic violence case against him. The case from New Mexico was discovered following an alleged incident with his girlfriend at an off-campus apartment in Fort Worth. Both cases involved the same woman. The Cowboys signed Turpin out of the USFL in 2022. He had played in several satellite football leagues before joining the USFL. Turpin secured his spot on the team by returning a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns in a 2022 preseason game. He was one of the best return men in the NFL his first two years, but didn't have any returns for TDs until his All-Pro season in 2024. Turpin returned a punt and a kickoff for scores last season. Turpin's role as a receiver has grown, and first-year coach Brian Schottenheimer, who will call the plays on offense, has indicated the speedy and diminutive player will be targeted more often in his scheme. Turpin had career bests of 31 catches for 420 yards and scored two touchdowns last season. He had three TDs receiving and one rushing in 2023.
Al Arabiya
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Cowboys Return Man KaVontae Turpin Arrested on Marijuana and Weapon Charges
All-Pro return man KaVontae Turpin of the Cowboys was arrested in a Dallas suburb on misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession and unlawful carrying of a weapon, authorities said Sunday. Turpin was arrested by police in Allen on Saturday. The 28-year-old is out of jail on bond. There is no record of an attorney for Turpin. The team declined to comment. The former TCU standout is going into his fourth season with the Cowboys and recently signed an $18 million, three-year contract. Turpin's TCU career ended in 2018 when he was kicked off the team after the school found out about a second domestic violence case against him. The case from New Mexico was discovered following an alleged incident with his girlfriend at an off-campus apartment in Fort Worth. Both cases involved the same woman. The Cowboys signed Turpin out of the USFL in 2022. He had played in several satellite football leagues before joining the USFL. Turpin secured his spot on the team by returning a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns in a 2022 preseason game. He was one of the best return men in the NFL his first two years but didn't have any returns for TDs until his All-Pro season in 2024. Turpin returned a punt and a kickoff for scores last season. Turpin's role as a receiver has grown, and first-year coach Brian Schottenheimer, who will call the plays on offense, has indicated the speedy and diminutive player will be targeted more often in his scheme. Turpin had career bests of 31 catches for 420 yards and scored two touchdowns last season. He had three TDs receiving and one rushing in 2023.
Associated Press
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Cowboys return man KaVontae Turpin arrested on marijuana and weapon charges
ALLEN, Texas (AP) — All-Pro return man KaVontae Turpin of the Cowboys was arrested in a Dallas suburb on misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession and unlawful carrying of a weapon, authorities said Sunday. Turpin was arrested by police in Allen on Saturday. The 28-year-old is out of jail on bond. There is no record of an attorney for Turpin. The team declined to comment. The former TCU standout is going into his fourth season with the Cowboys and recently signed an $18 million, three-year contract. Turpin's TCU career ended in 2018 when he was kicked off the team after the school found out about a second domestic violence case against him. The case from New Mexico was discovered following an alleged incident with his girlfriend at an off-campus apartment in Fort Worth. Both cases involved the same woman. The Cowboys signed Turpin out of the USFL in 2022. He had played in several satellite football leagues before joining the USFL. Turpin secured his spot on the team by returning a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns in a 2022 preseason game. He was one of the best return men in the NFL his first two years, but didn't have any returns for TDs until his All-Pro season in 2024. Turpin returned a punt and a kickoff for scores last season. Turpin's role as a receiver has grown, and first-year coach Brian Schottenheimer, who will call the plays on offense, has indicated the speedy and diminutive player will be targeted more often in his scheme. Turpin had career bests of 31 catches for 420 yards and scored two touchdowns last season. He had three TDs receiving and one rushing in 2023. ___ AP NFL:
