Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke made history overnight by becoming the first owner to win three major North American sports titles after his Denver Nuggets were crowned 2023 NBA champions.
The championship win is the Nuggets' first in their 47 seasons since joining the NBA, adding another huge win to Kroenke Sports & Entertainment's impressive list of triumphs. Kroenke also owns the 2021/22 NFL Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams, the 2021/22 NHL Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche and the National Lacrosse League Cup Champion Colorado Mammoth.
The Nuggets defeated Miami Heat across the five-game series, winning four matches across the space of 12 days. Monday night's 94-89 win in Denver, courtesy of Nikola Jokic's 28 points, completed the series in an emotional night for all involved.
Jokic's influence over the course of the Finals has seen him earn valuable praise from Kroenke himself. Signing a blockbuster $264million contract last year, the largest in history at the time, Jokic boasted the best rebounds per game, blocks per game and points per game, resulting in him being named the Final's most valuable player.
"I mean, to me he's been the most amazing thing ever," Kroenke told Marca. "I've watched a lot of basketball, I played basketball, I love the game and my son played at a high level. I mean, Nikola is the most amazing thing I've ever seen in basketball."
Kroenke's decision to hand Jokic one of the most expensive deals in basketball has certainly paid off. And it would not be surprising to see the American businessman translate his methods onto Arsenal this summer.
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The Gunners, of course, fell short in the Premier League title race in the final few weeks despite leading eventual treble winners Manchester City for the majority of the season. Since Kroenke became majority shareholder in 2011, the north Londoners have won four FA Cups and four Community Shield titles, but are yet to lift England's most prized trophy.
It's expected that Kroenke will back Mikel Arteta in the transfer window, with West Ham star Declan Rice the top priority. As has been reported in recent days, the Gunners are closing in on agreeing a deal upwards of £100million for the England captain.
For many, the sizeable price tag for Rice is viewed as smart business. Yet smashing the club's transfer record will always provide its critics in today's market. However, Kroenke's Jokic decision has paid off within the first year and could be a similar story with Rice's imminent move to the Emirates Stadium.
Paying over £100m for a midfielder could prove to be the difference between another second-placed finish or Kroenke bringing success to another one of his franchise.
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