Town of Foxborough fires back at Kraft Group over licensing fees lawsuit, asks court for dismissal

Foxborough is asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Kraft Sports and Entertainment LLC and the New England Patriots, which accuse the town of illegally imposing nearly $1 million in licensing fees for events at Gillette Stadium. The town argues that, under the stadium lease, Kraft is contractually obligated to reimburse it for public‑safety costs associated with major events, and that the fees are not an unlawful tax but a legitimate condition of the entertainment license. In its 61‑page answer and counterclaim, Foxborough claims Kraft mischaracterized the licensing renewal as a pretext to extract additional charges, and it seeks dismissal of the complaint along with costs for defending the case. The dispute stems from earlier negotiations over the World Cup, when the town threatened to withhold the license unless Kraft paid $7.8 million upfront for security; Kraft later pledged to cover those costs, but the town alleges the renewal was used to impose new administrative fees beyond the statutory $100 limit. The court’s decision is pending, while Foxborough maintains its commitment to public safety and protecting residents’ interests.

(Source：The Boston Globe)