Raimondo Pitched Krafts on Revolution, But Says Owners “Very Committed to Boston”

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo told GoLocalProv on Wednesday that she has been in talks with the Kraft family -- the owners of the New England Revolution who are looking for a new stadium -- but that she believes the team is committed to pursuing opportunities in Boston.

GoLocal learned that Raimondo made her latest outreach this past week in a call to the Krafts, following the announcement that the Pawtucket Red Sox signed a letter of intent to build a new stadium in Worcester.

"I've talked to them a number of times - as far as I can tell they're very committed to Boston," said Raimondo, of the Krafts' intent to move the Revolution from their current home in Foxboro to a new soccer-specific stadium. "But we'll continue to reach out, and we'll reach out to many other teams as well and consider sports options, and non-sports options -- everything's on the table."

"I think it's a long shot. It doesn't mean we won't try, but I think it's a long shot," said Raimondo of the Revolution coming to Rhode Island.

Raimondo joined Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien and other elected officials at Slater Mill on Wednesday, to give comment on the intent by the Pawtucket Red Sox ownership to take the team to Worcester.

"A minor league team does not make Pawtucket," Raimondo told the crowd in her remarks, who along with Grebien spoke to the deal made by Worcester as outside what Pawtucket -- or Rhode Island -- would be willing to offer.

Latest in Rhode Island -- and Krafts

In early August, GoLocal reported that the state had not had any recent communications with Krafts, as leaders worked to keep the Pawtucket Red Sox in Rhode Island.

The pronouncement by Raimondo that the Krafts are "very committed" to Boston is a contrast to when back in January, Jonathan Kraft told GoLocal that Revolution was "open to doing anything in Rhode Island" -- but that he was committed to making a decision by the end of the year.

This story first published 8/22/18 12:47 PM

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