Kroenke Sports Enterprises has always aimed to deliver the Premier League trophy. For years, many Arsenal fans found it hard to take them seriously; their ambitions felt more like distant dreams. Yet, on Sunday, Stan Kroenke and his son Josh triumphantly carried the long-awaited trophy across Selhurst Park, where coach Mikel Arteta, his staff, and about 3,000 fans were ready to celebrate.
Those final steps, though brief, were perhaps the most meaningful for a family previously facing widespread disdain, with frequent protests eruptions outside the Emirates Stadium.
“Do you remember when they were hanging us from lampposts?” Josh Kroenke recalled, referring to the backlash from Arsenal’s involvement in the failed 2021 European Super League, which stirred deep-rooted resentment toward the American owners amidst several underwhelming seasons.
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The journey from the ire of fans to the cheers that resonated at Crystal Palace on Sunday is a transformation rare for ownership groups. KSE initially acquired a minority stake in 2007, gaining full control by 2018. Fast forward eight years, and Arsenal stands proudly as Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years.
“Walking across the pitch with my father was a moment I’ll never forget,” Josh Kroenke expressed to a small group of reporters at the Sobha Realty Training Centre ahead of Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final. “I wanted us to share that experience. And if it was just one of us, I wanted it to be him [Stan] carrying it out, considering everything we’ve gone through.”
The reality of this achievement was still settling in. Josh, along with Stan, has become a more visible figure around Arsenal as co-chair, despite having commitments to KSE’s portfolio of six professional teams: the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams, Denver Nuggets (NBA), NHL‘s Colorado Avalanche, the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer, and the National Lacrosse League’s Colorado Mammoth. According to Forbes, KSE is the world’s most valuable sports empire, valued at an estimated $21.17 billion.
Josh was present at Emirates Stadium for Arsenal’s penultimate match of the season, a crucial 1-0 win over Burnley, which put pressure on Manchester City to win against AFC Bournemouth for the title chase to continue. He had already flown back to the U.S. when the significant news flashed across his screen: Bournemouth had scored.
“I left for the States right after the Burnley game early Tuesday morning, planning to be back for Palace,” he recounted. “As I was landing in the States, the alert came through about Bournemouth, and I had to keep my eyes on that score. I started following it on my way home.”
Erling Haaland equalized for City in stoppage time, but it proved too late, and the draw was inadequate to prolong the title race, crowning Arsenal champions and igniting jubilant celebrations among Gunners players, staff, and thousands of fans gathered outside Emirates Stadium. Many players were still spotted celebrating at 5 a.m. the next day.
“My first call was to my dad, the second to Mikel,” Kroenke shared. “I tried to reach as many people as possible to share in the moment, but nobody was picking up.”
“Eventually, Kate [Laurens, Arsenal’s chief communications officer] answered and set up a video call. I was emotional as the phone went around, seeing all those celebratory faces.”
“My call with my dad was filled with jubilation. He and I have experienced this in different ways—he was at American football meetings while I was present for Burnley—but it was a shared sense of pride as other Premier League owners approached him to offer congratulations. The dynamics are fascinating compared to the United States, but we all shared the pride in our own unique ways.”
KSE has indeed encountered its share of challenges. They faced accusations of neglect and disinterest from disgruntled supporters during a period where Arsenal struggled to find its footing.
Once a dominant force alongside Manchester United, by 2018, the club was in decline after Arsène Wenger’s tenure ended. His successor, Unai Emery, failed to reverse that trend, missing Champions League qualification after a disheartening loss to Chelsea in the 2019 UEFA Europa League final. This led 16 supporter groups to jointly address the ownership in July 2019, asking: “We Care, Do You?“
“That was significant for me, a well-calibrated display from fans,” Kroenke noted. “When I saw it, I recognized the importance. By that time, I had invested considerable time and emotion behind the scenes.”
“It marked a turning point when we transitioned from a publicly traded model to fully private ownership. It solidified our true investment in the club, acknowledging the complexities of differing agendas during our journey as majority shareholders.”
0:55
Koeman: Arsenal won the Premier League because of corners
Restoring Arsenal was not easy. Sporting director Edu and new head coach Mikel Arteta executed a five-phase plan to rejuvenate the club, which received the owners’ backing.
“I promised Mikel I’d be present as often as possible,” Kroenke explained. “I made multiple trips in December during the hiring process, then returned in late February to start implementing various plans.”
“Then, COVID struck, complicating things at the worst time for Mikel’s onboarding. The club needed to unite to tackle some very tough conversations in anticipation of the unprecedented situation.”
“During that transition in February, I sought advice from our former chairman and mentor, Sir Chips Keswick. We often shared lunches discussing club matters, and I acknowledged the challenges we faced, especially as we had moved to a private structure. He humorously reminded me not to let the club face relegation as we charted a way forward.”
2:04
Who should win Arsenal’s player of the season?
A significant measure involved a thorough squad overhaul, which saw nine players released due to concerns over standards and locker room dynamics.
“Mikel utilized various metaphors to communicate our scenario, framing it as being either ‘in the boat’ or ‘out of the boat,’” Kroenke described. “At times, certain individuals were not only out but actively working against us, and we needed to identify and eliminate those influences.”
Simultaneously, the club prioritized discovering young talent to form the foundation of a renewed Arsenal squad.
“I had an enlightening conversation with Per Mertesacker [the academy director, set to leave his post this summer],” Kroenke recounted. “Following the [Europa League] final in Baku, I made inquiries about acquiring impactful players like Virgil van Dijk, who had recently arrived at Liverpool.
“Mertesacker’s quick reply was that unless we had £100 million, we shouldn’t even consider such players. So I asked, ‘Who is the top young defender in Europe?’ Without blinking, he answered, ‘Declan Rice from West Ham United in 2023.
“I doubt a deal of that magnitude would have occurred before 2018. When that player started becoming a reality, I sat with Edu, Mikel, former vice-chair Tim Lewis, and chief executive Rich Garlick in the conference room listening to their plan. My eyebrows shot up because I wasn’t sure if we were ready to pursue such a player.”
“I usually wouldn’t question our approach like that. My main inquiry was about how we would utilize him. This was a ‘plug-and-play’ situation; he needed to fit seamlessly into the starting lineup. If we were paying this much, we expected to get a leader in return.”
“Talking to Declan revealed his focused nature, helping me feel more comfortable with the price. Though it might be a stretch within our financial model, it marked a significant moment for all involved.”
To bolster their capabilities, Andrea Berta was appointed as sporting director last summer, following Edu’s exit, bringing valuable expertise to the spending spree after a 12-year tenure at Atlético Madrid.
“During Andrea’s first dinner with some associates, I was present and, as is uncommon for me, I showed him our championship rings. I stated, ‘This is our goal. As we shape our future direction, keep this in mind.’ His intense focus on those rings was evident!”
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Arteta: One more win for Arsenal to be champions of Europe
And now, Arsenal proudly adds the Premier League winners’ medal to their accolades. The title race was intense, with Kroenke describing the pivotal February 2-2 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers—where they squandered a 2-0 lead—as particularly “tough.” He admitted, “I watched that match alone at home.”
Kroenke recounted the excitement of 16-year-old Max Dowman‘s last-minute goal to secure a victory against Everton a month later: “I was watching the game with my new puppy. I jumped up so excited when Max scored that I startled him, and he peed right next to me!”
Kroenke’s extensive sports knowledge, coupled with the pressures of the final stretch of the season, kept him from jumping to conclusions about Arsenal establishing a new era of dominance, particularly with major competitors like Manchester City transitioning with Pep Guardiola, Liverpool struggling under Arne Slot, and Chelsea still finding its way with Xabi Alonso.
“I had a heartening conversation with Bukayo [Saka]
It is essential to secure Arteta, 44, with a new contract as his current one nears its expiration. “If there’s one person we can credit for this success, it’s Mikel, along with his staff and our players,” Kroenke stated with certainty. “They are the heart of our triumph. Although Mikel orchestrates our tactics, the players have to execute them and achieve wins. Ensuring Mikel remains is a top priority; the good news for Arsenal supporters is that he enjoys the project and, being an Arsenal man at heart, he is deeply committed to the club.” 0:53 Madueke: Premier League title irrelevant in Champions League final Next on the agenda may be enhancing the Emirates Stadium, nearly two decades after the club departed Highbury. The specifics of these improvements are still under consideration, but according to Kroenke, “Plans are being formulated for a renovation of the Emirates. We prioritize providing our fans with an elevated matchday experience, similar to standards we uphold in the U.S.” For now, however, Arsenal can focus on Saturday’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, aiming to clinch their first European title. Regardless of the outcome, celebrations are expected throughout North London, with parades planned on Sunday. Kroenke seems almost stunned by the remarkable change as the club ascends back to prominence in English football. “I recognized we were a sleeping giant that needed awakening,” he reflected. “We haven’t fielded a squad as strong as this in the social media era, a time where emotional expressions and quick information have revolutionized fan engagement. Turning 46 last week, I’ve grown up around this evolving landscape, and it brings me immense pride to witness the resurgence of support for Arsenal.” “I encountered a level of passion and spirit among the supporters today that I hadn’t seen before; it’s amazing to witness them expressing their pride openly, from the fans in the streets to the guy in the bicycle cab wearing our jersey. That spirit fills me with pride,” he concluded.