Robert Kraft
AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File

The NFL Needs to Take a Hard Stance Against Robert Kraft

Now that the charges against New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft became official Monday, which are for soliciting prostitution at a spa in Palm Beach County, Florida, it may be just the beginning.

There are several reports out there that this is just the tip of the iceberg for Kraft. Although he denied the charges, police have the 77-year-old billionaire on video just hours before the AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

If convicted of the a first degree misdemeanor, Kraft could face up to a year in jail, a small fine and a 100 hours of community service. Unless there is something major that comes from the prostitution sting, such as federal charges, Kraft could just cut a deal and do community service.

The question now is: What is the NFL is going to do? This has to be embarrassing to have one of the top owners in the league caught up in not just a sex scandal, but caught during a long investigation into sex trafficking in Jupiter, Florida, which is a lot worse.

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The implications are serious, especially if Kraft knew what was happening all along.

Is the NFL willing to come down hard on the Patriots owner? If the past is any indication, Roger Goodell is probably grinning from ear to ear. The NFL commissioner and Kraft don't exactly have a great relationship leading back to the DeflateGate scandal when quarterback Tom Brady had to sit out a few games.

Kraft was also involved in talks to oust Goodell from his commissioner's seat, too, so you know there is some history to consider here.

Roger Goodell needs to put his personal feelings aside and do more than take a few draft picks away,. He may need to make Kraft step down as CEO of the Patriots. Players and fans alike, especially female fans, are going to be interested to see how Goodell handles this.

The NFL has received much deserved criticism for the way they not only handled the Colin Kaepernick situation, but also the numerous domestic violence cases over the years.

If the NFL, and Roger Goodell for that matter, want to rehab their image, they can start by showing the rest of the world that they take these charges seriously and have a zero tolerance policy against this kind of behavior by anyone, including owners.

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