ARSENAL fans were given a boost over the weekend after it emerged Spotify owner Daniel Ek was keen on buying the club.
The Gunners’ current owners – Kroenke Sports and Entertainment – have once again irked supporters.
American chief Stan Kroenke has never quite endeared himself to Gooners down the years, with many frustrated by his business-first approach – often affecting Arsenal’s work in the transfer market.
But after Arsenal signed up for the controversial European Super League – before hastily withdrawing following an incredible backlash – fans descended on the Emirates to protest against KSE like never before.
With Kroenke seemingly willing to sell for £2billion, Ek formally confirmed he’d consider making a bid should KSE officially put the club on the market.
But how does the Swedish businessman compare to the American? We take a look.
In terms of experience, Kroenke – worth an estimated £5.9bn – is the clear winner.
The American, ranked No308 on Forbes’ rich-list – is 73 years old, with Ek considerably younger – just over half his age, in fact – at 38 years old.
Kroenke, too, has a much broader range of business experience.
While Ek – worth around £3.4bn and No522 on Forbes’ chart – is known only for Spotify, Kroenke has vast experience in real estate, sports teams and more.
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The American owns a whole host of sports teams.
As well as Arsenal, Kroenke owns the Denver Nuggets (NBA), Los Angeles Rams (NFL), Colorado Rapids (MLS) and Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
He also owns lacrosse team Colorado Mammoth and eSports franchises Los Angeles Gladiators (Overwatch) and Los Angeles Guerrilla (Call Of Duty).
Outside of sports, Kroenke owns the Screaming Eagle Winery and Vineyards, as well as 1.4million acres of ranches across the USA and Canada – including the 510,527 acre Waggoner Ranch in Texas.
The ranch was used for crops, cattle and horses, as well as oil production.
In terms of property, Ek does have an incredible £43million family home on the outskirts of Swedish capital Stockholm.
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There, lifelong Arsenal fan Ek lives with wife Sofia Levander – whom he married at a star-studded ceremony in Lake Como, Italy in 2016- and their two young daughters Elissa and Colinne.
Kroenke, meanwhile, married wife Ann Walton Kroenke in 1974.
The couple have four children, including Arsenal director Josh.
Josh Kroenke is not only heir to the KSE empire, but also to Walmart – as mum Ann is the daughter of the retail giants’ founder Bud Walton.
Brett, Katie & Whitney Ann are the Kroenkes’ three other children.
Whitney Ann is a businesswoman in her own right, having co-founded the Playing for Change Movement, launching Nine Banded Whiskey and also working as a film producer.
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