Boston Magazine unveiled its 2024 list of the 150 Most Influential Bostonians , which featured a number of names from the world of sports.
10. Patriots President JONATHAN KRAFT : With former Patriots coach BILL BELICHICK gone, Kraft is “expected to have more influence over team operations -- and fans’ heartstrings.”
23. Celtics G JAYLEN BROWN: He is “spreading optimism and opportunity all over the city” -- and all the while, “proving on the court that he’s worth every penny” of his $304M contract.
24. New Balance Chair JIM DAVIS : With a $10M pledge to UMass Boston, he recently “ensured the future of a New Balance Institute for Innovative Leadership in Sport.”
46. DraftKings CEO JASON ROBINS : In their first year of legal online sports betting, the Boston-based DraftKings “took nearly as much of the in-state wagers as all of its competitors combined.”
59. Celtics owner WYC GROUSBECK : Someone has to “save us from our four-year streak without a duck-boat parade,” and as of this writing, Grousbeck’s Celtics “may be fans’ best bet.”
68. New England Patriots Foundation President JOSH KRAFT : All Josh Kraft does is “make friends throughout Boston’s many nooks and crannies.” His participation in nonprofit organizations have “earned him visibility and appreciation."
77. Fenway Sports Group CEO SAM KENNEDY : Kennedy has also “made fans happy” by bringing former Red Sox GM Theo Epstein back into the fold. Off the field, his community involvement “remains unquestioned.”
93. TD Garden President GLEN THORNBOROUGH : Thornborough has been busy: opening the Bruins Heritage Hall centennial exhibit; hosting the Women’s Beanpot for its first time at TD Garden; and welcoming the arena’s first house artist.
145. WEEI-FM Host GREG HILL : Bostonians “love talking about sports,” and WEEI’s top brass has “made sure Hill continues driving that conversation by putting him on weekday mornings and signing him to a multiyear contract.”
149. NHLPA Executive Director MARTY WALSH : So much of his influence “is exercised under the radar,” even three years after his mayorship ended, he Is “still living here and remains involved behind the scenes.”
150. Patriots QB TBD: Boston “hasn’t been the same since the end of the you-know-who era,” and “we need a reason to root for the home team again” ( BOSTON MAGAZINE, 4/23 issue ).
