The iconic Kennedy family has been back in the news in recent months, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. running for President of the United States. One of the most well-known families in American history has an obscure but very interesting footnote to their history, and it has to do with professional sports.
In 1962, an intriguing opportunity presented itself to the Kennedy family—the chance to join NFL ownership ranks by purchasing the Philadelphia Eagles. Edward M. Kennedy (also known as “Ted”), in an oral history recording from 2005, recounted the story of how the Kennedy brothers contemplated acquiring the Eagles. However, the tumultuous events surrounding the Cuban Missile Crisis ultimately thwarted their plans. Let’s dive into this lesser-known episode in “America’s Camelot”.
During a 1962 conversation between Ted Kennedy and his brother, then-President John F. Kennedy, the topic of the Philadelphia Eagles came up. The owner of the Baltimore Colts, Carroll Rosenbloom, had approached their father, Joseph P. Kennedy, with an enticing proposition: the Eagles were up for sale, and for $6 million, the Kennedy brothers could become the team’s owners. This offer piqued their interest, and President Kennedy reached out to Ted, asking if he would be willing to invest a third of the funds necessary for the purchase along with himself and then-Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.
Excited by the opportunity, Edward Kennedy agreed to contribute his share of the investment. However, the pragmatic President Kennedy insisted on obtaining detailed information before committing fully. He instructed Ted to compile a comprehensive memorandum, spanning approximately twenty pages, outlining the logistics of attending Eagles games—diving into the railroad distance from the stadium and the feasibility of flying—without causing inconvenience or disruption to others.
The Kennedy brothers were in middle of their plans to potentially acquire the Philadelphia Eagles when the world was suddenly thrust into the Cuban Missile Crisis. The crisis, a tense standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union over the deployment of nuclear weapons in Cuba, demanded their full attention. As the situation escalated, the Eagles’ potential purchase was put on hold.
As the Cuban Missile Crisis subsided, Ted Kennedy, eager to move forward with the Eagles’ acquisition, sought to confirm their continued interest in the deal. Unfortunately, by the time he inquired about the offer’s status, it had evaporated. The brief delay caused by the crisis had allowed the opportunity to slip away.
Ted Kennedy’s recollection of this almost-forgotten endeavor sheds light on the Kennedy family’s passion for sports, particularly football. President Kennedy, known for his love of athletics and competitive spirit, recognized the potential of owning an NFL franchise—which could have provided a rough appreciation of 81,667% if using the Eagles’ current $4.9 billion valuation. RFK shared this passion, making the idea a missed opportunity for the family.
Overall, the Kennedy family’s consideration of purchasing the Philadelphia Eagles in 1962 provides a fascinating glimpse into their lives beyond politics. The potential acquisition, curtailed by the Cuban Missile Crisis, showcases the Kennedy brothers’ love for football and their willingness to explore new ventures.
Edward M. Kennedy Oral History (03/23/2005)
Kennedy
But it was a question: How did you do it? I had been in touch with my brother just before the Cuban Missile Crisis when I was running because the Philadelphia Eagles came up for sale, and the fellow who owned the Baltimore Colts, Carroll Rosenbloom, called my father and said, If your sons want to buy that, you can get it for $6 million. And so my brother Jack called me and said, Are you in for a third if we can get it for $6 million? I’ve talked to Bobby, and he says he’ll go for it. I said, Okay, I’ll go for a third. He said, Well, you have to find out. No one knows how long it takes to get to the stadium, how far the stadium is from the railroads, what’s the time if they flew up there, can they land by chopper? Will it interfere with people? I want to know. I want you to give me a twenty-page memorandum on all the details that I can look at to find out if I can get to the games and not clutter up all these people.
Then, boom! The Cuban Missile Crisis happened. And at the end of it, after October 22nd, by about November 1st, I asked, Are we still in? and that thing had gone. They said they’d wait four or five days to see whether the Kennedy brothers were interested in it, but, boy, after that thing, the offer was gone. He always had a real interest. He loved sports, loved football, and Bobby did, and they would have—
Young
Well, I’ve never known that the Missile Crisis lost you the Philadelphia Eagles.
Kennedy
Yes, the Eagles. There you go.