Report: Patriots' Kraft not elected to Hall of Fame's 2026 class

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft will not be inducted into this year's Pro Football Hall of Fame class, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Kraft reportedly did not receive enough votes from the 50-person selection committee. The 84-year-old has been on the Hall of Fame ballot for the past 14 years dating back to the 2013 class. He finished as a semifinalist last year but was edged out by Ralph Hay.

Kraft was among five finalists - contributors, coaches, and senior players - who last appeared in a game in 2000 or earlier. Voters pick three of the five candidates, and up to three finalists are elected if they cross the 40-vote threshold. If no candidate receives 40 votes, the top vote-getter is elected.

Former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was also reportedly snubbed in his first year of eligibility. The six-time Super Bowl winner apparently fell short of the minimum votes required to be inducted this year, and the news sparked backlash.

"Whatever perceptions may exist about any personal differences between Bill and me, I strongly believe Bill Belichick's record and body of work speak for themselves," Kraft said in a statement last week.

The Patriots have won 374 games since Kraft purchased the team in 1994, and Sunday marks their 11th appearance in the Super Bowl during that time. Belichick guided New England to nine title-game appearances in his 18-year tenure on the sideline. The 73-year-old coach is second all time in combined wins with 333, trailing Don Shula's 347.

Kraft served on several NFL ownership committees and played a integral role in resolving the league's 2011 lockout.

This year's class of Hall of Fame inductees will be announced Thursday at NFL Honors in San Francisco.