Josh Kroenke

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Josh Kroenke
Born (1980-05-07) May 7, 1980 (age 43)
EducationUniversity of Missouri
OccupationBusinessman
Parent(s)Stan Kroenke
Ann Walton Kroenke
RelativesWhitney Ann Kroenke (sister)
James "Bud" Walton (maternal grandfather)

Josh Kroenke (born May 7, 1980) is an American heir to the Walmart family inheritance and to Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, his father's sports-media conglomerate. He is involved in running the Denver Nuggets basketball franchise, the Colorado Avalanche ice hockey franchise, the Colorado Rapids, and English football club Arsenal.[1] The company co-owns Elitch Gardens Theme Park as well.[2][3]

Early life[edit]

Josh Kroenke was born on May 7, 1980.[4] His father is Stan Kroenke and his mother, Ann Walton Kroenke.[5][6] Through his mother, he is a member of the Walton family, one of the richest families in the world, who founded Walmart and still own a controlling interest.[7] He has a sister, Whitney Kroenke Burditt. He grew up in Columbia, Missouri, and attended Rock Bridge High School.[1] He graduated from the University of Missouri, where he received a full basketball scholarship.[1] While in college, Kroenke found himself involved in a scandal which led to the resignation of Larry Eustachy, the coach of the Iowa State basketball team. In 2003, Eustachy, a friend of Josh's father Stan Kroenke, attended a student party with Josh in Columbia, Missouri.[8] Photos of Eustachy drinking with college students at the party later surfaced[9] and led to his resignation[10] from his position at Iowa State.

Career[edit]

He now serves as the President of both the National Basketball Association's Denver Nuggets and National Hockey League's Colorado Avalanche.[1][5][6][11]

In 2013, he was appointed by his father, the majority shareholder, to the board of English association football club Arsenal as a non-executive director.[12] As directors of Arsenal, the Kroenkes have garnered significant antipathy from supporters, who feel that they have no ambition and are merely using the club for their own profit at the expense of the team's competitiveness.

In April 2021, Arsenal were announced as a founding member of the European Super League, which would have effectively ended the pyramid system of European football and placed Arsenal in a closed league without prospects for meritocratic relegation and promotion. Arsenal and the five other English clubs involved backed out within two days after a strong backlash. After the aborted attempt to end the European football system, Arsenal fans protested and called for the Kroenke family to sell the club.[13][14][15][16] The Kroenke family released a statement saying they would not sell the club.[17]

Personal life[edit]

Kroenke resides in Denver, Colorado.[5] Kroenke purchased an 1,885 square feet (175.1 m2) condo for $1.4 million in 2007. Prior to his move to Denver, Kroenke lived in New York City. He and his sister, Whitney Kroenke Burditt, purchased a 1,735 square feet (161.2 m2) condominium, with a 400 square feet (37 m2) roof deck, a small balcony and views of the Empire State Building for $2.7 million in 2005.[18] They sold it in 2007 for $2.45 million—below both the initial listed price of $2.995 million and their final asking price of $2.55 million.[18]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d He attended New Hampton Prep School in New Hampton,Nh for one year. Pepsi Center Archived August 1, 2017, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park". January 12, 2022.
  3. ^ Blevins, Jason (June 5, 2015). "Elitch Gardens in Denver sold to local investment team led by Kroenke". The Denver Post. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  4. ^ Get to know Josh – Nuggets, Avs president here to stay Archived December 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, Colorado Springs Gazette, June 8, 2013
  5. ^ a b c Benjamin Hochman, Josh Kroenke building a legacy on his own, The Denver Post, April 17, 2011
  6. ^ a b Jeremy Wilson, Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke is in it for the long haul, says son and heir Josh, The Daily Telegraph, October 1, 2011
  7. ^ Walton Family Members' Fortune Climbs $8.7 Billion After Strong Quarter For Wal-Mart, Forbes, May 19, 2016
  8. ^ Patrick Hruby, I come to praise Larry ..., ESPN.com, May 1, 2003
  9. ^ Tom Witosky, Iowa State's Eustachy apologizes; future with school uncertain, USA Today, May 1, 2003
  10. ^ Associated Press, Embattled Eustachy resigns, Lawrence Journal-World, May 6, 2003
  11. ^ Aaron J. Lopez, Josh Kroenke provides a view from the president's office, NBA, March 9, 2012
  12. ^ Nick Groke (December 5, 2013). "Josh Kroenke named to Arsenal's board of directors, joining Stan Kroenke with London's Gunners". The Denver Post.
  13. ^ "Spotify CEO eyes Arsenal as fans protest Kroenke". ESPN.com. April 23, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  14. ^ "Arsenal fans protest against owner Stan Kroenke and club's involvement in European Super League". Sky Sports. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  15. ^ "Arsenal owner Kroenke apologises to Arteta". BBC Sport. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  16. ^ "Arsenal fans protest against team owner Stan Kroenke over Super League debacle". Los Angeles Times. April 24, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  17. ^ The Athletic Staff. "Kroenke family make it clear they are not willing to sell Arsenal". The Athletic. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  18. ^ a b Elizabeth A. Harris, Wal-Mart Heirs Sell Chelsea Condo, The New York Times, August 10, 2010