Two NFL Owners Blast New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani Publicly

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Two top NFL owners are weighing in on New York City politics. Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft criticized Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his plans, raising concerns about the city’s future.

Mamdani became New York’s 112th mayor this month after winning November’s election on promises of big economic and social changes, though many were not happy with this win. His rise excited supporters but worried some business leaders.

Ross, a longtime New York businessman, spoke at a recent Bloomberg fireside chat. He warned that Mamdani’s policies might push companies out of the city, comparing the situation to struggles in San Francisco.

“New York can’t go through good times,” Ross said. “Because the ideals that he stands for are not good for business. It’s not good for, really, we’ve never seen it work anywhere.”

Zohran Mamdani Faces Pushback

Ross said he sees clear risks ahead for New York. He argued that heavy regulation and higher taxes scare off investors, and he also pointed to California as a cautionary tale.

“If everybody’s fears come to light for New York, it could be a lot like what San Francisco went through with that type of government,” Ross said. “It did really great damage to San Francisco.”

Ross also criticized the city’s costs and government reach. He said businesses prefer leaders who interfere less and pointed to talks of a billionaire tax.

“Look at today they’re debating whether there’s going to be a billionaire tax,” Ross said. “That’s frightened every person that’s there. That’s what California has become.”

Robert Kraft mentioned similar unease earlier this year. The Patriots’ owner criticized Mamdani’s campaign message and leadership style. Kraft said Mamdani ran on “divisiveness” and questioned his ability to unite the city.

Neither Ross nor Kraft has a government role, but both are influential in sports and business. Their remarks show early pushback from powerful voices.

Mamdani hasn’t responded directly to them. He has said in past interviews that he wants a fairer New York for working people while holding the wealthy accountable.

Meanwhile, New York’s sports world moves on. The Giants plan for their 2026 season under Mamdani’s first year, but the political attention isn’t going away.