[2] In 1947, while the Braves' public relations director, Sullivan helped found The Jimmy Fund, a pediatric cancer charity.

[2] He led a syndicate that was awarded the league's eighth and final team for their inaugural season in 1960 as the Boston Patriots, paying a franchise fee of $25,000.

[14] A series of bad investments in the 1980s, the biggest being The Jacksons 1984 Victory Tour (bankrolled by son and heir apparent Chuck), forced Sullivan to put the Patriots on the market.

[2] The NFL refused the request, and instead appointed a four-man committee vested with what amounted to "wartime powers" to use any means settle the Patriots' finances, up to and including selling the team.

NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle made clear that it would be untenable for the Patriots to stay in Sullivan's hands, saying that the only resolution was "selling the controlling interest" in the team.

One of the committee members, Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Hugh Culverhouse, expressed a similar sentiment, saying that there was "no resolution" for the team under Sullivan's ownership.

When that effort failed, Sullivan was forced to sell the team to a syndicate headed by Remington Products owner Victor Kiam for $83 million.

[23] During Sullivan's 28 seasons owning the team, the Patriots tallied 14 winning records, made six playoff appearances, played in the 1963 AFL Championship Game and represented the AFC in Super Bowl XX.