The success of a well-known sports franchise is intriguingly tied to the journey of none other than Michael Jackson. While Jackson is predominantly recognized for his electrifying music, his influence extends far beyond just that realm into various media landscapes. Furthermore, much like his artistic triumphs, the missteps in Michael Jackson’s career play a pivotal role in shaping contemporary pop culture.
According to an insightful piece published by Relix, a significant failure during his career led to monumental changes in the sports world, specifically marking the path for Robert Kraft’s acquisition of the New England Patriots. Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots since 1994, had no initial intent of investing in professional football, a venture that was directly influenced by an ill-fated tour involving the Jackson family.
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Despite the acclaim surrounding many of Michael Jackson’s tours, his most significant failure inadvertently generated financial benefits for others within the industry.
The Jacksons’ Victory Tour’s Impact on the New England Patriots Ownership
The Financial Fallout of Michael Jackson’s Underperforming Tour
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A decade before Robert Kraft acquired the New England Patriots, Michael Jackson and his brothers reunited for the Victory Tour, running from July to December of 1984, named after their fifteenth album. Chuck Sullivan, the then-owner of the Patriots, was so enthusiastic about the tour’s potential that he convinced the Jacksons to perform at Sullivan Stadium, home to the Patriots. Sullivan took on the responsibility of producing the entire tour, a decision that ultimately resulted in a staggering loss of $20 million, which equates to over $60 million today.
As the tour progressed, Jackie Jackson experienced a leg injury, briefly transforming the Jacksons reunion into a near Jackson Five appearance.
By the tour’s conclusion, the Sullivan family faced impending bankruptcy, compounded by Chuck’s marital troubles. As a result, he sold the Patriots to Victor Kiam in 1988, who later passed ownership to James Orthwein in 1992 amid continuing financial strife. Unfortunately, the Patriots continued to struggle financially, even facing a second bankruptcy. In a significant turn of events, Sullivan sold the stadium to Robert Kraft in 1988, including a lease for the team which Kraft would ultimately acquire through a $172 million hostile takeover in 1994. The subsequent course of events became iconic in NFL history.
Factors Leading to the Downfall of The Jacksons’ Victory Tour
Timing Misalignment with Michael Jackson’s Ascent to Stardom
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The Jacksons’ reunion tour faced numerous challenges. Notably, the timing was far from ideal as Michael Jackson was in the midst of his phenomenal rise as a solo artist during 1984. The release of the groundbreaking short film and album “Thriller”had captured global attention, leading many to view the tour as more of a promotional event for “Thriller”rather than the Jacksons’ “Victory”album. Additionally, jealousy among the siblings created significant unrest and discord within the group during performances and rehearsals, leading to a breakdown in communication.
Frustrated with band dynamics, Michael publicly declared his intention to leave the group mid-performance, a decision he hadn’t even shared with his brothers beforehand. The resulting internal strife ultimately impacted ticket sales; some venues like Sullivan Stadium struggled to sell out, while other shows were entirely canceled. As Michael Jackson’s solo career flourished, the collective identity of the Jacksons diminished, paralleled only by the decline of Chuck Sullivan’s tenure as owner of the New England Patriots.
Source: Relix