Liverpool 'A Great Brand' says Kraft - 14/11/2005

American billionaire Robert Kraft has told Radio 5 'Liverpool is a great brand and it's something our family respects a lot. We're always interested in opportunities and growing, so you never know what can happen.' The Kraft Group specialises in paper and packaging, sports and entertainment and venture investment. The Group bought American football team New England Patriots for £98m in 1994 and also holds the franchise for Major League Soccer team New England Revolution. One possibility is that the Group could be interested in a naming deal for the new Liverpool stadium. They might also acquire a minority interest rather than taking over the Liverpool franchise outright. With the cost of the new Stanley Park stadium estimated at £150m, outside foreign investment looks the most likely way ahead. Experienced sports entrepreneurs like the Krafts would be an advance on Thaland's autocratic prime minister, Thaksin Shiniwatra, who was at one time interested in the Merseyside club.