Robert Kraft, who paid $172 million for the New England Patriots in 1994, has agreed to sell 8% of the NFL team to two groups in a deal that values the franchise at $9 billion, according to two sources who have first-hand knowledge of the deal but are not authorized to speak about it publicly.

The money the team will get from selling the 8% stake is going to stay on the Patriots' balance sheet, according to one person close to the situation, meaning the post-money valuation of the Patriots is greater than $9 billion.

The sale does not include the New England Revolution, the Major League Soccer team also owned by the Kraft family, according to one source close to the deal.

The buyers are Sixth Street Capital, at about 3%, and Dean Metropoulos with about 5%, according to a person with fir

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