Say what you want about Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and New England Patriots Owner Robert Kraft, as they are two extremely rich, prodigiously powerful and extremely polarizing men, but they are on the right side of history with this initiative.
As part of Chelsea’s aggressive antisemitism initiative, the west London club is in talks with Major League Soccer club New England Revolution, another team owned by Robert Kraft, to stage a friendly where the proceeds raised will go towards fighting antisemitism.
According to ESPN FC, the match is set to take place in New England next summer, but talks are only in the early stages at this point. Kraft, who comes from an observant Orthodox Jewish family, reportedly told the World Jewish Congress that he has spoken with the Jewish Russian oligarch about the potential exhibition game that would see both men donate $1 million to the fight against antisemitism.
All money raised from ticket sales would go towards this noble cause. It’s possible that the game would be held at Gillette Stadium, and potentially maybe even a part of the International Champions Cup.
Kraft, who has donated over $100 million in Jewish and Israeli causes over the years, has previously expressed interest in potential ownership of a Premier League club.
Abramovich, who saw his United Kingdom working visa denied this year, cannot legally enter the country where CFC is located to conduct any business and thus rumors of his desire to sell the club abound. Kraft, who was involved in the securing the 2026 World Cup bid for North America, has been mentioned as a potential buyer. Abramovich also became an Israeli citizen this year, under the nation’s Law of Return which applies to all Jews living abroad.
His application for citizenship in Switzerland however, was denied.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Lineups.com and Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.