Premiership preparing for another American owner
The English Premier League is set for yet more American influence as billionaire Stan Kroenke moves closer towards control of Arsenal.
When Kroenke's interest in the club was first revealed, Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood pompously announced that "his sort" were not welcome. However, after increasing his share to 12.38 percent and being invited onto the board last week, the St Louis Rams, Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche owner is likely to be the man who has most influence on the north London club moving forwards.
Kroenke has benefited from concerns among Arsenal directors concerning Russian Alisher Usmanov, who has got his hands on nearly 25 percent and is still buying any new shares that come on to the market.
Even so, this report by the Guardian's Matt Scott claims Usmanov is willing to step aside and be a silent partner, with Kroenke making most of the big financial decisions.
Kroenke is understood to be ready to spend big in the transfer market.
The profit-sharing system in the EPL is based on a staggered method that rewards success, rather than the principle of equality used in the NFL. If Arsenal continues to shine both domestically and in the Champions League, then the club's current valuation of around $1.5 billion could prove to be a bargain.
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