Arsenal owner Stanley Kroenke made history by becoming America’s largest private landowner with 2.7 million acres across the US and Canada — enough land to cover Greater London seven times over
When Britons consider the name Stanley Kroenke, they will likely identify the American as the proprietor of Arsenal. However, his connection to the North London club represents merely a fraction of his vast empire.
This became evident earlier this year when he featured in Land Report’s annual ranking as the largest private landowner throughout the entire United States.
The 78-year-old sports tycoon made headlines in December after acquiring a 937,000-acre ranch in New Mexico — bringing his total land holdings across America and Canada to an astounding 2.7 million acres.
That expanse of territory could encompass Greater London — measuring 388,000 acres — seven times over.
The astonishing record surpassed the previous one held by the Emmerson family in California, which possesses 2.44 million acres of timberland.
Stan has a passion for ranches, also owning properties in Montana and Nevada, while a decade ago purchasing the renowned Waggoner Ranch, which represents the largest continuous piece of ranchland in Texas, spanning an impressive 535,000 acres.
While he has invested fortunes in property, according to Forbes, his net worth stands at a remarkable $22.2 billion (£16.3bn). Therefore, spending £105m for Arsenal to acquire Declan Rice appears like pocket change by comparison.
The entrepreneur also controls 60 million square feet of commercial property and maintains ties to the world’s wealthiest family through his marriage to Ann Walton — an heiress to Walmart whose personal net worth, according to Forbes, reaches $14.4billion (£10.7bn). Stan and Ann share two children, Whitney Ann and Josh, with Josh serving as Arsenal’s co-chairman alongside his father.
Beyond his role leading Arsenal, Stan’s sporting empire encompasses ownership of the Los Angeles Rams, the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche and the Colorado Rapids.
The billionaire seldom grants interviews and earned the nickname “silent Stan” due to his preference for maintaining a low profile.
In a rare conversation with Mirror Sport, he disclosed that generating wealth would be far simpler outside the sporting world.
He said: “There are a lot of easier ways, so many easier ways, to make money, I assure you! You guys talk about the downs, maybe that’s the nature of it, but if you’re just trying to make money there are a lot of easier ways to do it.
“If you look at our history — just go look at our history. We get into these things to try to build them, to try to grow them. You don’t see us selling things. You just don’t. Go and check us. We are committed long-term.”
Kroenke’s remarks came in 2017 when he made it crystal clear he was “absolutely not” planning to sell Arsenal and that his ambition was to deliver complete success to North London.
He said: “Look, we want to be champions of everything. Premier League, Champions League — we want them all.”
Nearly a decade on, just as he achieved a landmark by becoming the biggest landowner in the US, his football club may at last be poised to create history on the field, with their first Premier League championship in 22 years now within grasp.
