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Patriots chronology

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Posted: Friday April 30, 1999 08:20 PM

Here are some important dates leading up to the Patriots decision Friday not to move to Connecticut: 1960 -- Boston University Field is named as the first home of a team that was then known as the Boston Patriots. The team also plays home games in the 1960s at Fenway Park, Boston College, Harvard Stadium, and even Birmingham, Ala. The team was ready to go to Seattle when stadium in Foxboro is approved.

1970 -- Ground is broken on a new stadium in Foxboro.

1971 -- The Boston Patriots are renamed the New England Patriots. The team makes its debut at Schaefer Stadium in Foxboro with a 20-14 victory against the New York Giants on Aug. 15.

1983 -- Schaefer Stadium is renamed Sullivan Stadium in honor of the team's founder, William H. "Billy" Sullivan.

1990 -- Sullivan Stadium is renamed Foxboro Stadium.

1993 -- Connecticut lawmakers approved a plan to borrow $250 million if the Patriots agree to move.

1994 -- Robert K. Kraft assumes ownership of the Patriots and ices the proposal to move the team to Connecticut.

1995 -- Plans emerge to construct a stadium for the Patriots in South Boston, but the effort is stymied by opposition from Mayor Thomas M. Menino and South Boston residents. Rhode Island also enters the fray with an attempt to lure the team south.

November 1997 -- Massachusetts House passes plan calling for the state to spend $52 million making improvements to land surrounding Foxboro stadium. In return, Kraft would have to spend at least $50 million improving the stadium itself.

February 1998 -- Massachusetts Senate passes plan to build the Patriots a $200 million stadium with state to provide $72 million in state funding for land that would be leased back to the team. The deal falls victim to House Speaker Thomas Finneran's opposition.

June 1998 -- Kraft meets with Connecticut Gov. John Rowland to discuss a possible stadium in Hartford.

November 1998 -- Negotiations between Kraft and Rowland intensify, and on Nov. 19, Kraft and Rowland sign a memo of understanding that would have the team playing in Hartford in 2001 in a state-funded stadium.

Dec. 15, 1998 -- Connecticut's Legislature approves $374 million to pay for stadium. Rowland notes: "Today we made Connecticut history."

Jan. 31, 1999 -- Patriots say they're willing to wait until 2002 to move into new Hartford stadium.

March 1999 -- Rowland accuses CTG Resources Inc., owner of a steam plant on the proposed stadium site, of making "unreasonable, unrealistic, impossible demands" with conditions to vacate the site. Reports also swirl about possible environmental contamination at the site.

April 1999 -- Published reports identify a group of influential Boston civic and business leaders headed by former Democratic National Committee Chairman Paul Kirk working to keep the team in Massachusetts. The group receives encouragement from NFL officials worried about Hartford's smaller TV market.

April 23, 1999 -- NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue meets with Massachusetts officials, calls Bay State "optimal" location for team. April 26, 1999 -- Meetings continue between NFL officials and Massachusetts lawmakers.

April 27, 1999 -- Massachusetts lawmakers reach agreement designed to keep the team in Massachusetts. The agreement called for the state to contribute $70 million for infrastructure improvements on and around the current Foxboro stadium site. In return, the state would get back $1.4 million from stadium user fees and parking lot surcharges.

April 28, 1999 -- NFL commends Massachusetts plan, Connecticut officials maintain the Patriots are committed to moving south.

April 29, 1999 -- Kraft reiterates his goal of playing in Hartford in 2002.

April 30, 1999 -- Patriots say Hartford deal is off.