Opinions of Kroenke

[gilbertosilver]

Stan now officially owns 10% of Arsenal.

http://www.londonstockexchange.com/LSECWS/IFSPages/MarketNewsPopup.aspx?id=1456356&source=RNS

I run the Arsenal site www.gunnerblog.com - can you post your views on Kroenke here so I can tell Arsenal fans what to expect if a takeover is completed?

[jayd8888]

Before the NHL went to their current socialist cap. Kroenke never seemed to bat an eyelash when spending tons of cash to get a big name on the Avs roster. Some didn't workout, and some also say the Avalanche left a few Stanley Cups behind, but it sure was sweet having the dream-teams in town that we did.
- Just one guys takes.

[WJMarx]

Stan now officially owns 10% of Arsenal.

http://www.londonstockexchange.com/LSECWS/IFSPages/MarketNewsPopup.aspx?id=1456356&source=RNS

I run the Arsenal site www.gunnerblog.com - can you post your views on Kroenke here so I can tell Arsenal fans what to expect if a takeover is completed?

To date, Kroenke and KSE have shown no interest whatsoever in soccer or the Colorado Rapids. The GM is a business person with no soccer background. The Rapids front office is amateurish and its web-site poorly managed. Enough said!

[Bonji]

To date, Kroenke and KSE have shown no interest whatsoever in soccer or the Colorado Rapids. The GM is a business person with no soccer background. The Rapids front office is amateurish and its web-site poorly managed. Enough said!

Always the negative view for Marx. What Marx fails to mention is that KSE just spent millions on a new soccer facility for the Rapids and from everything we fans can see the budget for the team has gone way up going into the 2007 season.

Kroenke is not a very public figure. He doesn't seem to be involved in the day to day operations of the Rapids. He's seems to see soccer as a good investment with a lot of growth potential in the US.

I agree with Marx that in the past the Rapids have put out an amateur vibe, however in 2007 with the new venue I am hopeful that is changing.

[denver_mugwamp]

Kroenke sees sports as a business. There's absolutely no chance that he bought into Arsenal so he could sit in the stands wearing a scarf and singing songs. And I doubt if Stan pays much fan attention to the various sports teams he is fielding. If Competitive Dwarf Tossing was to start a league, the KSE organization would be out there beating the bushes for the most aerodynamic little people they could find.

That said, Kroenke tends to run his businesses in a professional manner and delivers on his promises. When he bought the Rapids, he said that he would build a stadium and he delivered a first-class soccer complex. I think that as a businessman, Stan realizes that teams have to win in order to be profitable. He wasn't afraid to spend money for the Avalanche and he's taken the Nuggets from a useless collection of stiffs to a (somewhat underperforming) assortment of talent.

By the way, you don't think that Americans are buying EPL teams for the personal gratification of owning a piece of history, do you? In the US, sports is a very lucrative business. They buy into teams because they see a wonderful financial opportunity. When you feel Kroenke's hand on your wallets, you'll know why he's there.

[miguel]

I'd really like to see someone publish that big budget that Kroenke has allocated for the Rapids in 2007. It seems to me that very little has been spent so far to acquire a big name player for the Rapids, while many other MLS teams are adding some players who will either bring in more fans, or add to additional talent on the field. DC United, Los Angeles, and Chicago come to mind in this regard. I'm sure there are others that someone else can add to the list. Correct me if I've missed something here.

[GoRapids]

Before the NHL went to their current socialist cap. Kroenke never seemed to bat an eyelash when spending tons of cash to get a big name on the Avs roster. Some didn't workout, and some also say the Avalanche left a few Stanley Cups behind, but it sure was sweet having the dream-teams in town that we did.
- Just one guys takes.

I don't mean to be harsh sounding ... but this isn't correct. The year Kronke bought the team was 2000 - he didn't influence the roster at all for that Cup.

In 2001 - Borque was a rent-a-player - that's not a big financial move. In fact it's the cheap move. And Boston went along for Ray's sake (which is about the only right thing Boston has done in 20 years)

Since then they haven't brought in anything but rent a players and now the team is on the brink of sucking. I know some of this has to do with the price of success - but he sure didn't spend tons of cash to bring in any player.

Now with the Nuggets - it's different. Because Stan the Man LOVES hoops.

[GoRapids]

I'd really like to see someone publish that big budget that Kroenke has allocated for the Rapids in 2007. It seems to me that very little has been spent so far to acquire a big name player for the Rapids, while many other MLS teams are adding some players who will either bring in more fans, or add to additional talent on the field. DC United, Los Angeles, and Chicago come to mind in this regard. I'm sure there are others that someone else can add to the list. Correct me if I've missed something here.

And I agree with this. They're not showing any signs that winning is close to being a #1 priority.

[deron]

In fairness, the Avs sucking part has been since the lock out,the financial changes it brought, and some questionnable player moves. That hurt the Avs as much as any team.

He's been criticized with the Nuggets, not by Mark but by others, who ignore the money it took to get George Karl and Allen Iverson as well as the bust that K Mart was.

I'm trying to remember a sports team owner who was universally loved.

[teddy_montoya]

Silent Stan... He is a very classy guy, built a state of the art facility and own many sports ventures(KSE). The one thing about Stan is his willingness to make money. Hence Allen Iverson coming to the Nuggets, Temmu and Karyia to the Avs, and a high chance at a DP say around 90% next year.

This shows he spends money but not to win championships, but to sell tickets, and if he makes money off that and merchandise you are a successful owner regardless of championship banners.

[jayd8888]

I don't mean to be harsh sounding ... but this isn't correct. The year Kronke bought the team was 2000 - he didn't influence the roster at all for that Cup.

In 2001 - Borque was a rent-a-player - that's not a big financial move. In fact it's the cheap move. And Boston went along for Ray's sake (which is about the only right thing Boston has done in 20 years)

Since then they haven't brought in anything but rent a players and now the team is on the brink of sucking. I know some of this has to do with the price of success - but he sure didn't spend tons of cash to bring in any player.

Now with the Nuggets - it's different. Because Stan the Man LOVES hoops.

I don't think I was saying he influenced the 2001 Avalanche roster. I was trying to get at; he isn't afraid to spend moeny. Pierre Lacouix (SP?) should get most of that credit, and blame (in the cap era).

The Avalanche are now limited in their options with the salary cap, back when the Avalanche were allowed to spend the money, they had the 5th highest payroll in the NHL. I believe that if the cap were to go away, the Avs would go back to spending 65milllion in payroll (my belief). The cap was designed for teams like the Rangers who couldn't spend the 65 million wisely. Of the big spending teams from yesteryear pre-salarycap-era, I would guess that the Red Wings were the only team with more success but they were also spending 10-15 million more in payroll.

Heck I would love to hear about Kronke buying the Rockies.

[zn1962]

I don't think I was saying he influenced the 2001 Avalanche roster. I was trying to get at; he isn't afraid to spend moeny. Pierre Lacouix (SP?) should get most of that credit, and blame (in the cap era).

The Avalanche are now limited in their options with the salary cap, back when the Avalanche were allowed to spend the money, they had the 5th highest payroll in the NHL. I believe that if the cap were to go away, the Avs would go back to spending 65milllion in payroll (my belief). The cap was designed for teams like the Rangers who couldn't spend the 65 million wisely. Of the big spending teams from yesteryear pre-salarycap-era, I would guess that the Red Wings were the only team with more success but they were also spending 10-15 million more in payroll.

Heck I would love to hear about Kronke buying the Rockies.

check this out....9.99% stake in Arsenal and 50% in ITV..
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nba/article/0,2777,DRMN_23922_5466895,00.html

[miguel]

So much for his other teams. My question is , how much has he spent on the Rapids?

[Dawdyga]

More than the prevous owner. I think the main thing is that he is a bussiness man, and does not jump into things quickly. The whole DP slot is new, and I agree that he will not bring someone in without making sure that that player will change the team to run for the cup at the end of the season, or put people in the stands. I would not be suprized to see a signing this summer, after the european leagues have finished. There should be some good players available.

[prk166]

Stan now officially owns 10% of Arsenal.

http://www.londonstockexchange.com/LSECWS/IFSPages/MarketNewsPopup.aspx?id=1456356&source=RNS

I run the Arsenal site www.gunnerblog.com - can you post your views on Kroenke here so I can tell Arsenal fans what to expect if a takeover is completed?

How about to turn to the tables and ask you what you and other Arsenal fans think of the Rapids changing their name to Arsenal Colorado?

http://levyashin.blogspot.com/2007/04/arsenal-colorado-its-on-way.html

[GoRapids]

I don't think I was saying he influenced the 2001 Avalanche roster. I was trying to get at; he isn't afraid to spend moeny. Pierre Lacouix (SP?) should get most of that credit, and blame (in the cap era).

The Avalanche are now limited in their options with the salary cap, back when the Avalanche were allowed to spend the money, they had the 5th highest payroll in the NHL. I believe that if the cap were to go away, the Avs would go back to spending 65milllion in payroll (my belief). The cap was designed for teams like the Rangers who couldn't spend the 65 million wisely. Of the big spending teams from yesteryear pre-salarycap-era, I would guess that the Red Wings were the only team with more success but they were also spending 10-15 million more in payroll.

Heck I would love to hear about Kronke buying the Rockies.

The cap started last year ... and the only player of $$$ note the avs have brought in since KSE took over was - as noted by another poster - Selanne. Paul Kariya for example was sucking - and only made $1 Million a year.

The times you're talking about - with the salary being so hight - that was set up under the previous owner - and the pay roll dropped year to year.

Believe me - the avs are where they are because of NOT keeping up with the spending.

If fact, the avs are $4 million UNDER the cap right now at $40 million. $4 million is a really great player!

Basketball is different - Stan Kronke is a BIG hoops fan.

Now I'm not saying that KSE is cheap ... but they're not big spenders they like to point themselves out to be - it's all about the bottom line with them.

[WJMarx]

Always the negative view for Marx. What Marx fails to mention is that KSE just spent millions on a new soccer facility for the Rapids and from everything we fans can see the budget for the team has gone way up going into the 2007 season.

Kroenke is not a very public figure. He doesn't seem to be involved in the day to day operations of the Rapids. He's seems to see soccer as a good investment with a lot of growth potential in the US.

I agree with Marx that in the past the Rapids have put out an amateur vibe, however in 2007 with the new venue I am hopeful that is changing.Bold added by Marx

Negative, maybe; realistic and correct, absolutely! Don't be so quick to sell out!!! Hopeful does not define reality!

Building a stadium was a foregone conclusion and probably a condition of Kroenke's purchase of the Rapids. NOTE! The stadium is not downtown alongside all of the other sporting facilities but tucked away in an inconvenient location on cheap land. A good short term business decision, maybe; a short-sighted one, maybe! The Rapids franchise has always been the "Red-Headed" stepchild of AEG and now KSE.

IMO, there is no visible evidence of any change in policy, in contradistinction to Bonji's assertion that, "from everything we fans can see the budget for the team has gone way up going into the 2007 season." Even then, money alone does not drive an organization. When a lack of administrative know how and/or a total lack of passion are expressed one gets the Rapids. There is no excuse for our chaotic FO, our poorly managed web-site or our lack of player development!

Hopefully, these things represent "Christmas past & present" but Kroenke & KSE have seen the future and that they are taking steps to change the near and far term. Only time will tell!

[GoRapids]

oops - that was suppose to be a PM - didn't want to keep talking hockey on this thread. Sorry.

[Botigol]

Even with money being spent, amateur is still the opporative description.

We see some some intent, but the execution still falls short. How about season ticket holders receiving their tickets more than a week before the opening game? How about planning participatory activities for the opening of the new stadium other than the luncheon that cost how much?!?!

I have not heard of any pregame activities for tomorrow other than youth soccer games.

Wouldn't it have been so great to have a team sponsored activity of some sort in order to have thousands of people come out to the stadium early on game day???

[deron]

Bold added by Marx

Negative, maybe; realistic and correct, absolutely! Don't be so quick to sell out!!! Hopeful does not define reality!

Building a stadium was a foregone conclusion and probably a condition of Kroenke's purchase of the Rapids. NOTE! The stadium is not downtown alongside all of the other sporting facilities but tucked away in an inconvenient location on cheap land. A good short term business decision, maybe; a short-sighted one, maybe! The Rapids franchise has always been the "Red-Headed" stepchild of AEG and now KSE.

IMO, there is no visible evidence of any change in policy, in contradistinction to Bonji's assertion that, "from everything we fans can see the budget for the team has gone way up going into the 2007 season." Even then, money alone does not drive an organization. When a lack of administrative know how and/or a total lack of passion are expressed one gets the Rapids. There is no excuse for our chaotic FO, our poorly managed web-site or our lack of player development!

Hopefully, these things represent "Christmas past & present" but Kroenke & KSE have seen the future and that they are taking steps to change the near and far term. Only time will tell!

Marx, I blame you. The Fire were once a team worth watching and haven't been for years. Now they have become AEG's red-headed bastards. The Rapids have never risen above the pack. And now... KSE has bought into Arsenal. Clearly, your attentions are bad for a team's fortunes.