On November 16, 1959, Boston business executive Billy Sullivan was awarded the eighth and final franchise of the developing American Football League (AFL). The following winter, locals were allowed to submit ideas for the Boston football team's official name. The most popular choice-and the one that Sullivan selected-was "Boston Patriots". Immediately thereafter, Phil Bissell developed the "Pat Patriot" logo.
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The New England Patriots were started as the Boston Patriots by Billy Sullivan in 1959 in the AFL.
Billy Sullivan was awarded the 8th and final AFL franchise on November 16, 1959. The Boston Patriots began play in 1960. See related link below for the Patriot's history.
The organization was founded in November 1959 and the team itself debuted in 1960.