Seems similar to the Yankees, yes?
The origins of the current breed of Patriots fans can be traced to 1993. If James Orthwein didn't find a buyer, they were being moved to St. Louis. He brought in Parcells as a business decision to increase the value of the franchise, as winning always does, but fan excitement seeded by Parcells blossomed with Drew Bledsoe. The new fanbase nucleus was firmly established by January 1997.
I personally believe that the ire of non- anti-Patriot fans residing within the state lines of CT is misdirected and should be pointed squarely at John Rowland, rather than Bob Kraft...or anyone else associated with the Patriots. Ironically, If Rowland followed through with everything he promised Kraft on the approved timeline, Connecticut would have been crippled. I suspect he didn't care as he was licking his wounds left by losing the Whalers. I am not familiar with Bill Curry, but how Connecticut re-elected Rowland to a 3rd term amid scandal is a mystery to me. OTOH, As a 20-something Massachusetts resident at the time, I wasn't paying real close attention to state politics.