Kroenke eager for Gunners talks
Arsenal stakeholder Stan Kroenke is eager to meet with the rest of Gunners board following his talks with chairman Peter Hill-Wood and managing director Keith Edelman last month.
The American billionaire bought a 9.9% holding in Arsenal from ITV last April and has increased his stake to 12%.
Paul Andrews, the executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Kroenke Sports Enterprises, refused to say whether Kroenke was looking to make a further investment in Arsenal but said the reclusive business tycoon was excited about his current stake in the London club.
“It is an investment, Mr Kroenke has invested in Arsenal and he’s very excited about it,” Andrews said.
“He’s been meeting with the people from Arsenal for the past year and a half and he’s very fond of the way they run their business operation. He’s very bullish about it.”
Asked whether Kroenke had a healthy relationship with Hill-Wood, who was initially hostile towards the US Midwesterner’s financial interest in the club, Andrews replied: “Absolutely. He’s a 12% owner, he holds a significant stake in the club and he now looks forward to meeting the other board members.”
On the subject of Kroenke’s intentions regarding extending his stake in Arsenal, Andrews said: “I wouldn’t dare to comment.
“We never comment on any future, possible investments of any kind. Each investment is evaluated based on its merit and it will be assessed on an ongoing basis.”
Andrews made the comments in Denver, Colorado, where Kroenke Sports Enterprises has its headquarters. KSE owns the Denver Nuggets NBA franchise, the Colorado Avalanche ice hockey team and the Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids.
Arsenal and the Rapids have developed a commercial and marketing partnership in recent months and the Gunners’ shirts, kits and other merchandise were being prominently displayed at the MLS side’s club shop yesterday as final preparations were being made for Thursday night’s All-Star game against Celtic.
