The Colorado Rapids’ billionaire owner Stan Kroenke has assured Arsenal’s hierarchy that he has no intention of buying control of the London Premier League club as he prepares to take a seat on the board, according to Arsenal’s current chairman, Peter Hill-Wood.
Kroenke’s place on the board “has certainly been talked about and it will happen sooner rather than later, although the details have not been finalized,” said Hill-Wood. “I don’t think he has any intention [of taking over Arsenal]. Certainly in the short term. In the long term, in 10 years’ time, he may take a different view. Things might change. He is certainly committed to not taking over the club.” Arsenal fans, sleep easy.
Hill-Wood also praised Kroenke’s character in that uniquely condescending British manner. “He is quiet, not ostentatious in any way. He could be a very good ally and colleague. There is some logic in him getting close to us. He is a sensible man who is a sportsperson and has got some expertise in his business and that has helped him to develop a fan base there [in Colorado].” Kroenke is also “very confident,” said Hill-Wood, that soccer can one day be as popular in the U.S. as gridiron, basketball and baseball.