Stan Kroenke, not your usual American sports fan. Far from it in fact, as Kroenke seems to take his passion, channel it in to business, and buy the entire team. Yes, the major share holder in Arsenal FC also owns a handful of sports franchises in the US. The Denver Nuggets (basketball), Colorado Avalanche (ice hockey), Colorado Mammoth (lacrosse), Colorado Rapids (football) and St. Louis Rams (American football – 40%) are just a few of the businesses Kroenke has acquired over the years.

So where did it all start for him?

At the age of 10, Kroenke would sweep the floors at his father’s lumber company. Eventually he married in to the Wall-Mart family and began his rise.

He always had a passion for sport, and with that, a passion for business. He played basketball and american football but it was his business mind that seperated him from the rest. The interesting thing about Kroenke is that history would suggest, when he buys a sports team, he likes to buy everything that surrounds it as well. With the Colorado Rapids, the Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Avalanche he not only bought the teams, but also the building in which they play. He went on to buy a regional sports network, Altitude, which broadcasts their games and even the ticket distribution system, TicketHorse.

Although some Arsenal fans may worry about a man whose sole objective is to make money, with Kroenke, that is not the case. There will undoubtedly be question marks as to why an American would be so interested in a British football club and business potential may well be the answer. But, unlike some, Kroenke is not a man whose name is often associated with greed.

For the National Football Conference championship game preceding the 1999 Super Bowl which is team, The Rams, won, Kroenke sent tickets to Milton and Eldon Harms, the brothers who bought Mora Lumber from his family and helped look after his mother after his father died. He contributes autographed items from his teams for a yearly fund-raiser for Cole Camp High and paid for a whirlpool bath in the locker room.

A willingness to help will shed some light on how he will look at the project of Arsenal Football Club. He is likely to question why the club have been so reluctant to reach out to the Asian market and may prompt a pre-season tour. Arsene Wenger has previously opted to remain closer to home for his pre-season fixtures but, if financial benefit to the club means an added amount to his transfer budget then he will no doubt be keen on the idea as well.

A shrewd business man and an avid sports fan. If there is one thing Stan Kroenke knows, it is how to run a sports team.