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]
Josh Kroenke | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 7, 1980 Columbia, Missouri, U.S. |
| Education | University of Missouri |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Parent(s) | Stan Kroenke Ann Walton Kroenke |
| Relatives | Whitney Ann Kroenke (sister) James "Bud" Walton (maternal grandfather) |
Early life
editJosh 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 Ann Kroenke. He grew up in Columbia, Missouri, and attended Rock Bridge High School and New Hampton 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
editKroenke serves as the President of both the National Basketball Association's Denver Nuggets and the 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 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.[13]
In April 2021, Arsenal were announced as a founding member of the European Super League, a closed competition, without relegation or promotion, as in American professional sports leagues. Arsenal and the other five English clubs involved backed out within days after a strong backlash. Following the club's aborted attempt to join a new European club competition, Arsenal fans called for the Kroenke family to sell the club, [14][15][16][17] to which the Kroenke family responded that they are not willing to sell.[18]
Personal life
editKroenke 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 Ann Kroenke, 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.[19] 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.[19]
References
edit- ^ 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
- ^ "Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park". January 12, 2022.
- ^ Blevins, Jason (June 5, 2015). "Elitch Gardens in Denver sold to local investment team led by Kroenke". The Denver Post. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
- ^ Get to know Josh – Nuggets, Avs president here to stay Archived December 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, Colorado Springs Gazette, June 8, 2013
- ^ a b c Benjamin Hochman, Josh Kroenke building a legacy on his own, The Denver Post, April 17, 2011
- ^ 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
- ^ Walton Family Members' Fortune Climbs $8.7 Billion After Strong Quarter For Wal-Mart, Forbes, May 19, 2016
- ^ Patrick Hruby, I come to praise Larry ..., ESPN.com, May 1, 2003
- ^ Tom Witosky, Iowa State's Eustachy apologizes; future with school uncertain, USA Today, May 1, 2003
- ^ Associated Press, Embattled Eustachy resigns, Lawrence Journal-World, May 6, 2003
- ^ Aaron J. Lopez, Josh Kroenke provides a view from the president's office, NBA, 9 March 2012
- ^ Nick Groke (December 5, 2013). "Josh Kroenke named to Arsenal's board of directors, joining Stan Kroenke with London's Gunners". The Denver Post.
- ^ Whittingham, Harry (March 12, 2023). "Arsenal title win could 'diminish Kroenke hatred' at the Emirates". GiveMeSport. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ "Spotify CEO eyes Arsenal as fans protest Kroenke". ESPN.com. April 23, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ "Arsenal fans protest against owner Stan Kroenke and club's involvement in European Super League". Sky Sports. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ "Arsenal owner Kroenke apologises to Arteta". BBC Sport. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ "Arsenal fans protest against team owner Stan Kroenke over Super League debacle". Los Angeles Times. April 24, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ The Athletic Staff. "Kroenke family make it clear they are not willing to sell Arsenal". The Athletic. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Elizabeth A. Harris, Wal-Mart Heirs Sell Chelsea Condo, The New York Times, August 10, 2010