Should Stan Kroenke buy Arsenal?
Investment is always something of a gamble, with profits and riches dependent on the fate and vicissitudes of an often volatile market.
The American investor and philanthropist Warren Buffet should know a thing or two about it, having accrued a personal wealth of $47 billion dollars (according to Forbes Magazine) through shrewd stock market shopping and selling.
"Be fearful when others are greedy. Be greedy when others are fearful," is Buffet's mantra; so will Stan Kroenke take his compatriot's advice by taking ownership of English Premier League side Arsenal?
There is good reason to be fearful. Fellow Americans Malcolm Glazer, George Gillett and Tom Hicks saw England's top division as a great area in which to expand their portfolio, as broadcasting money and global demand saw the league grow to one of the most lucrative in world sport.
But Glazer's ownership of Manchester United, and Hicks and Gillett's tenure at Liverpool has seen both parties struggle with copious debt and subsequent fan unrest. The global economic downturn has hit the league hard, exposing the problem of too many clubs who have borrowed too much money in the pursuit of success; crisis-hit Portsmouth being the prime example. The bubble built on boom has, to a degree, burst.
The league that was once so lucrative now looks less of a sound option for surplus, a fact that could see Kroenke - who as a 29.9 Arsenal stakeholder is just ten shares short of forcing a takeover of one of England's most successful sides - bulk at pushing through the move.
If he chose to be "greedy" he may swoop soon as Nina Bracewell-Smith, owner of a 15.9 percent stake in the London club, announced she is keen to sell this week. This could pave the way for the man known as "Silent Stan" to cash in when the price is relatively low.
Kroenke - who already owns the NBA's Denver Nuggets, the NHL's Colorado Avalanche and the MLS's Colorado Rapids - has pedigree in making money from sport franchises and could see Randy Lerner's popular acquisition of Aston Villa as a reason for optimism.
Arsenal, led by their prudent manager Arsene Wenger, have a a good record of dealings in the transfer market too, they consistently qualify for the cash-cow European Champions League and through their 60,000-seater home stadium have a bankable asset for making consistent profits at the turnstiles to reduce their debt.
So will Kroenke be tempted? The next few weeks could be crucial, but it's worth remembering the 62-year-old has been in prime position to buy for some time now. An intriguing development of Kroenke's attempt to take his holdings in the St Louis Rams American football team from 40 percent to 100 – an announcement that was also made earlier this week – is that NFL rules dictate he would have to sell his ownership of the Nuggets and the Avalanche.
If this rule is enforced, and it looks likely it will be, Kroenke would be cash-rich and looking for a place to spend ...
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Am an Arsenal fan. My comment is that, if the club is making profit accordingly she shouldn't sale it out. And if she will have to sale it, she should sale it to somebody better who can release money to buy players so that we can win trophies.
I am fed up with the trophy drought. If the take over would improve the competitive advantage so be it
Also an Arsenal fan. In reply to Felix, Kroenke might offer millions for Wenger to spend, but Arsene has been very reluctant to buy the best of the best (even though we'd love it, I can't see Wenger blowing 100mil to bring Messi in), nor is it in Kroenke's style to interfere with the coach's decision.
The only hope I have at this point is that if Stan does buy Arsenal, he will reduce the stadium debt. That would see us pay less interest, and/or pay off the stadium faster.
Since d club is making a good record among d rest of d club,it shouldn't be sold but maybe it should be sold if to buy quality players.
The fact that the Glazer's bought Man U and then put all of their debts into the club is the reason why the most successful Premiership team is so badly in the red. Same thing with Liverpool, US investors should keep out of the premiership, you have no clue what you are doing.
I what that american man to buy arsenal so that arsenal would stop buying under age player
Selling of Arsenal fc may lead to wenger's exit,what about the fans?we need trophies.
Does arsenal consist of old men
is better for the club to be sold out to somebody like them.
I dont like Arsenal, but I still want them in the Prem League to be beaten by Man Utd.
A single owner for the club means doom in the very near future. So, I dont want that for Arsenal.
Seen that with Leeds, Liverpool and probably going to be the case for Man Utd.
As an arsenal fan if selling the club will bring trophies i won't mind.
Yes arsenal have america owner becouse when we will take a look of their future and also the performance of the player.
I think it will be great for the American man that is Stan kroneken to buy Arsenal
If Kroenke buys Arsenal he shld as well buy at least two or more quality players for next seasons campaign.
Arsenal is 1 of the best clubs in the whole world,but her inability to win at least a trophy every season is becoming so frequent, arsenal should be sold to someone who is ready to buy more players(experienced & skillful) and ready to spend money so that gud reputation of the gunners can be restored
To me Arsenal is doing great but am not Gunners fans
Let him buy
Semmy,To me it is good to have another stake in arsenal team may be he may bring new changes to the team.
I hate how americans do this
If stan is willing to buy arsenal and ready to spend money on competent and qualify player i think arsenal should be sold out
I love soccer ( not just trophies), and I see the same in Arsenal today playing with young players of all around the world, Mr. Buffet and his people loves money and profits, His priority is to have profits?, If I'm poor I can´t be a good Arsenal fan for Mr. Buffet?
The point is dat wil stan be willing 2 buy big playz?
It depends on the decision made by the previous owner of Arsenal.
4rm kaduna Nigeria.Arsenal should be sold. i think problems of trophies would be solved.
Seriously, no offence but Americans should stay out of British football. They don't understand it, they annoy the fans and don't appreciate the history of these clubs – or the fans themselves. The Glazers have almost destroyed Man United – don't let it happen to Arsenal! Sorry if this sounds harsh but you guys stick to your American Football and Baseball and we'll stick to real football....
I luv arsenal&I want 2 see us take trophies,if ownership change wil bring it am ok wit dat;up gunners!
I'm simply worried about the reaction of Arsenal home fans now and later on to the the ownership of the English club by a Yankee man. For me, the club could do better when he buys it.
He should buy if it will bring TROPHIESSSSSSSSS to Arsenal fc. Thanks
I do believe that arsenel fc have the metal ability,they only need some big players within the ages of 24 – 26yrs and physical tall. With these little injection come 2012 they will be crown king of epl
I want that american man to buy arsenal so that we can buy a good players
The Brits have sold London Bridge (pure British Heritage)to the yanks, so why not sell a banch of foreigners kicking a ball in Man Untd, Liverpool, Aston Villa and for that matter Arsenal? The only thing British left in those teams is their name like the London Bridge. The difference, however, is that the LondonBridge was taken away but the Clubs remain in Britain and British fans pay the bill by filling the stadiums in millions.
Those wanting to buy arsenal, are they wise enough to understand the mind of the coach, bcos i will not like the situation in chelsea to happen at arsenal, where d owner will begin to control d coach.
As a gonner for life , whether an American buyer or Nigerian buyer Arsenal is an inspiring club that raises nobodies to somebodies. Kolo Tourse, Adebayor, Eboue , Henry , ETC. Give us more of the games, tonight i will be awake in China till 3AM to watch us with hotspur. Let the game as the music flow on. Kudos to my dear humble coach, Wenger.
I think the americans are the best buyer
I don't see it right for Arsenal to be sold to a single man,because of the near future.
I don't think one man ownership of the club,is a good thing.
If the club is 4 sale the should try to buy it and spend money on becos the club still has enough fans every part of the world.
Though arsenal have been doing very well in dept management,since its profit oriented and is not making loses'.then why should it b sold.All we are urging for, is new players,we really need 2 start wining trophies.
Let de yankee buy it.So we can win cups.Gunner 4 life.
A look @ kroenke's history shld b considered b4 selling. ManU 4 LIFE
Lets put it this way, I do and believe that he should buy the team. The country of an owner should not determine anything. I think that everyone has the right to buy whatever they can afford. Furthermore I think that one man can own a whole team as long as he is able to handle a whole team on his own.
This is total rubbish! so does he think a football team is another basketball team?this dude 'z crazy!
I hope he has enough cash to finance the club's activities and service
his personal loans. The American owners in English Football have a bad history i.e the owners of Liverpool and Man.U. Hey guys we dont wanna sell players to service loans.
I think is a good ideal for stan to go forward in order to burst his investment.
If Kroenke his to buy arsenal is not our problems.changing of ownership his not solving our campionsleauge.wenger should splash money on players.wenger is a good manager! We have good players live Arshavin fabregars song v.p rosky vemlee walcott.i luv arsenal like my girlfrd.let him buy if he knows what he can do!dont say 1 person can't manage the club.wenger i stll luv u.
Looks like the comment section has turned to a Nigeria Arsenal fans gathering.
Wenger has a good record with good players he can bring lots of profit.
Am an Arsenal fan. I think the club deserve one who will be willing to spend on talented experienced players as the window will soon open. I warn! Leave Wenger out is this politics. NBA is not football.
Arsenal is the bst club there is .Americans pls dont ruin gd ol arsenal lyk u've done 2 liverpool n man united.
I said no a greatest arsenal fan, from nasarawa state of nigeria.
if u nid trophies u beta sell de club so dat de owner will bankroll de club.
I want arsenal to buy good happenly strikes who can not be misses his chances.
I think this new idea is very good. arsenal is for everybody is for bigs boy like americans
Selling off Arsenal will make them go out of there way 2 get players which will lead them into debt just like Man United.i prefere the club to remain with England.
I think we should 4get de issue of sell and give wenger chance 2 manage de club
It's probably NOT a good thing. Look at what the Glazers did to Man Utd. They took enormous loans to buy the club and then put the debt onto the club. That's why Man Utd have less money to spend than some other top clubs.
A takeover is ONLY a good thing if someone like the Russian Abrahamovich buys it, who puts a lot of money into the club rather than leeching off of it.
The club can be sold if it will lead to the purchase of quality players that will be blended with youths which the develop, to win trophies while making profit for the club.
With the God i serve, i believe things will be alright in d near future 4 my team Arsenal F. C. D pride of London
As ansenal fan, i dont want the America man to buy the club. For a single man to buy the club, it may lead to many destruction such as the coach may leave &some players may leave too. We want the trouphy but dont want a man who will want to be a decision maker.
Russian man wants to buy Arsenal, but english glazers dont want to sale him.
Americans cant give money for football. They only take from clubs.
Almost 75% of all coments are 4rm NIGERIANS. We love ARSENAL and will always do. All we are asking 4 are TROPHIES. It doesnt matter who buys d FC.
My guys & chairmen, things are not done this way we have 2 sit and think about what we are about 2 do it might be drastic, in the sense that Wenger might be lost its the debt thats holding Arsenal back we need that of our back & 2 keep our coach. I don't like watching us lose matches its heart breaking lets just hope 4 the best 2 happen. Peace my brothers.
Arsenal decisions is not self centered because of the group owners. Though the club is not in dept, but what the fans need is trophy. So is better it is owned by one person at least for one decision making.
Lets sell d club now, so we can buy matured players.
I think he has a good vision.
Good vision
just today we lost to Tottaham.very sad.We the fans needs Trophies.
I think that he should own arsenal if he is a fan (unlike Gillett and Hicks) because he would obviously show interest in the club and help the club in anyway such as investment. If he is just adding to his collection then he should just not bother as he would be hated by all gunners and end up like Gillett and Hicks.
why not buy RCD Mallorca?
Arsenal is a top European football club and has been for years now.
Maybe not lots of silverware in the last few years but always in there competing for it.
If the guy is willing to pour in the millions why would anyone object?
Offer €300 million for Messi after this season since he's won everything with Barcelona maybe he wants to try the premier league for a change....
Sale sale...
If selling of arsenal to stan will bring joy to d fans they shld go ahead,barca 4life
LOOK AM A CONCRET GUNNER..EVEN WITHOUT TROPHY...SO SELLING ARSENAL TO AMERICAN GREEDY INVESTOR'S MIGHT BRING US THE MONEY FOR QUALITY PLAYERS...BUT WENGER HAS DONE A GOOD JOB IN BUILDING PLAYERS UP AND SELLING THEM TO THE CLUB HUGE GAIN THAN WHAT IT USED TO PURCHASE THE PLAYER....EVEN IF ARSENAL IS TO BE SOLD PLEASE NOT TO AMERICAN INVESTORS THEIR BAD NEWS...WE CAN SEE THAT WITH LIVERPOOL AND MAN-U..MAN-CITY IS DOING WELL COZ IT AN ARABIAN INVESTOR WHO DID THE BUYING.. .our time is coming to start lifting trophies with our without money...THE ENd justifies the means
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....ARSENAL SHOULD NOT BE SOLD TO ANY AMERICAN INVESTOR...COZ THEIR LIKE VIRUS AND THEY INFECT ANY THING THEY TOUCH....so Noooooo
The gunners needs God help to be arsenal again frm atuba NGA(bauchi)
let them sell it to who ever that is ready to make a change on the team ,
I disagree wit dat. The only prob wenger has is dat he dosent buy players. He should just do dat b/4 arsenal falls
If he has enough money like the owners of chelsea & mancity he should go ahead & buy it; but if not, he should not, so that Arsenal will not end up like man u or liverpool i.e owing somuch money,becos he might need 2 buy expensve players & if he does not have enough personal money 2 take care, the club might end up borrowing...
The bottom line is Kroenke would only be doing this for money. Any business man who owns franchises or clubs for a living knows that to make money, the team needs to WIN. To win, we need to buy better players. If he understands THAT, then why wouldn't you want him to buy the team? Better him than someone who only looks at the bottom line and never the rink/court/pitch. If we want more trophies, we need more money to buy better players, its as simple as that. Love 'em or hate 'em, this yank has money... Gunners for life
Kronke wont even go over the NBA salary cap in denver to get a decent center, and his house (one of them) is literally on the arena they play in. No chance he will spend money to make arsenel any better.
Reasons to buy not to buy /
1. The reason why EPL is in the hotseat is due to the business model of buying the best players. However, The Current manager is notoriously stingy, as long as Arsenal Manager Arsene Wegner is there, it will not be the same as Man U or Liverpool, which are far less thrifty.
2. The only other club more popular internationally than Arsenal is Man U, but Arsenal does not have the current (key word) financial weaknesses.
3. It is suspected that the reason why Kroenke is buying up the shares so slowly, according to an epsn soccernet article, is allegedly due to his belief the current share price of 10,000 (pounds, but i'm not sure) is heavily inflated, which suggests that he will approach club investing differently that his fellow American counterparts.
4. It is also suspected that Kroenke is going to force the Arsenal Manager Wegner to have Arsenal tour in the U.S to either out of personal motivation to see them play in the U.S. or as another revenue stream. Wegner has previously stated that he is staunchly opposed to this because he believes it will wear out the players.
5. Although the fiscal transfer market policy was a means to finance the new stadium, the club posted record profits last year and according to website cbc.ca, are as of this week in "rude health" (excellent financial condition)
6. The third largest shareholder, Blackwell-Smith, is selling off her entire portion, I can't recall her portion, but it goes without saying that it is massive. Kroenke appears to be a smart investor, and although Blackwell-Smith has hired a financial team to find an investor. However, that group will be interested in finding a buy who can buy her shares, they might not at all be concerned if they are a good investor for Arsenal. It could wind up like Fulham, whose owner, an Arab oil tycoon, of treating their club like a plaything.
English club is a real investment
I rather see David Dein, a true supporter of Arsenal back at the Club than someone who's just in for the profit.......Sorry Mr Kroenke, Nothing personal, pure business.....and as you said 29.9 is ok for you no need to push for a takeover...so please remain in that state of mind....We want David Dein......
Stan Kroenke should absolutely buy Arsenal, he is not worried about profit the club already operates on very good principles. If you need proof look at what he owns now, the Rams are horrible and yet he stills has them he does not plunge them into debt. Kroenke is a shrewd businessman and would be a great owner for the club. Regardless of if he spends money to bring in players or not. To all of you complaining about the Gunners not winning trophies need to take a look around at the other EPL teams. They would KILL to be in our position year in and year out, the trophies will come eventually. As an Arsenal fan this would be a great thing for the club if he did make a formal bid and did takeover the club.
As an American that has lived in the Denver area since Stan Kronke came to town, all I can say is that this guy is a class act that will spend a lot of time, money and resources on making his teams, stadiums and fan experience better all-around.
Considering the volatility in the English football leagues I would think many of you would welcome the addition of an owner willing to invest and add some financial stability. Because he is definitely turning a healthy profit here in the states.
Arsenal 4 lyf, Wenger hs done a recomendbl work...but we fans of Arsenal are cravin 4 silverwares...if Kraonke will pump cash 2 buy experiencd players, thn be it.!
Dis. Is danty we need good players we need some one who can push out money 4 good players.
There are good reasons to explain about the buying of the club,but my question is ,is wenger ready and willing to spend the money to buy best payers? We should not be buying school boys to come train them how to play but to win a trophy!!!!!!!! Let him buy the club and also dictate to wenger too!
Nigerians what happend to your local leagues? 75% of contributors are Nigerians Why? I have a question for them – WHO OWNS CROWN FC? AND IN WHICH CITY IS IT LOCATED?
WHAT A SHAME.
Selling arsenal 2 stan will b d biggest step taken by arsenal 4 d past 5 years.as an arsenal fan i can't speak where other club fans are talking.arsenal is known in nigeria as d trophy-less club.d stingy manager should change or b sacked.we need xperienced players not kids and d most important of all WE NEED TROPHIES!.
Am an Arsenal. No good business person would like to path with his or her money. Trophies are OK but profit remains supreme. Whoever that is interested,ready to take the risk and all other attachments can take over.I dont mind where the person comes from.I love Arsenal pattern of play even when they are losing i think its Arsene Wenger's style.I love the club man!!!!!
HI, EVERY ONE. TO SEL ARSENAL S NOT AN EASY TASK,YES ARSENAL MEN A GD PEPPLE. YES ARSENAL ND A TROPHY SINCE 2-5 KNOW WINNI, MUST ENGLAND ALLOW FOREIGN SECTORS 2 SERVE DEIR CLUB'S." NO" ENGLAND SHLD STAND HV DEIR OWN AS CLUD, ARSENAL MANAGEMENT SHLD RELEASE MONEY TO MANAGER 2 PURCHASE TOP PLAYERS. D PROBLEMS S DO SEL, BUT NO BUYER, IF EVEN ARSENAL OWN SOME DEBT 4 STADIUM. WE BUY TOP PLAYER AM SURELY U, DIS S TROPHY 4 NEXT SSION, DEN DEBT CAN BE PAYED. I LUV MY CLUB & AM ARSENAL FANS. THANK'S.
In Short, Buy Arsenal.
It nice to hear such a good news frm the american investment
Oriaku,we are talking ARSENAL not crown fc.Kroenke should buy as long as he will not interfere with Wenger's policies,as for silverwares,they will surely come.........
If the debit is enouph my advice is that to sell arsenal to that man to solve the problem of team
Selling arsenal is not the answer,but changing wenga.he is our problem,he should be changed
I believe that Arsene Wenger has come to the realization that he has been a complete idiot for not replacing quality players like Thierry Henry, Robert Pires( I could go on for days...) so he will actually spend more than 5-10 million pounds on players over the age of 20... I say give this years owners one more chance, if we win some silver wear, we dont need a new owner, but ARSENAL NEED a steady flow of cash like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and other top clubs have in order to win some seriously needed silver wear.
Arsenal need better(non developing)players while the younglings are getting better and are playing the less important games against west ham, wigan, stoke....EPL is a huge investment, damn americans are rich though, so if take over does happen, it should be ok...
If they can change the english team manager is good oo
As a chronic Arsenal fan 4 life in Nigeria ,buying or selling is not my problem,all i need is the glory dat comes wit trophies.
Ganas is a team n a half.We lv it n owners have behaved so far.They r kul n humble as we diehard fans.Wega shud reduce the french players n scout wide esp in africa n south america.vermaleen,song,persie,cesc,ashavin,walcot remain sell the others esp silvertre,diaby,denilson.
Arsenal are going to have money to spend this usmmer when all the acquisitions of their highbury square apartments are sold and a huge chunk of the debt is gone. we don;'t need an american owner to come in and have fan unrest like at man u or liverpool. hopefully though, however, if he does come he just shells out money and not his opinions on things or else Arsene is gone
Hey connie, no way should he sell diaby, but i agree with denilson and silvestre def
As a gunners fan, I believe we just need cohession to win trophies, compared to our counterparts, we are not doing badly financial wise... We have a new stadium and we still play soccer at the highest level. So buying or selling is not my interest the managment should step up their game, support our young tallents with scratch free bullets, and it will be business as usual at a better pace.
Selling d club is not d solution let wenger buy new players
Let Stan buy the club cos' we need trophies to cheer the young players up . I really don't want Cesc leave the club.
Yes arsenal should be sold to d America investor,cos it has good name{brand}4 d past 5 years arsenal had never won a troph but ppl still watch their matches, arsenal future is very ok.the investor will never regret of buying it.the club is well branded.Wenger just need to buy some quality players.i think in England after man u next club is Arsenal pride of London.the gentle man shld buy it, its a good invetment.
it's stuppied!
arsenal is wasting the time and asset!
instead, buying berbatov!
Just as an example. Saprissa – costa rican team – was nearly bankrupt 6 years ago, since it was purchase by mexican mogul Jorge Vergara the team was won 5 out of 7 tournaments.
Let him buy the team and the wins and trophies will soon come. He is a Business man, he wants to make money. The only way he wil make is bye wining
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