Josh Kroenke Takes Stand on Premier League Games in the U.S. Amid Arsenal’s Continued Growth Under His Leadership
Josh Kroenke has increasingly taken over the day-to-day responsibilities at Arsenal from his father, Stan Kroenke, and has now made his stance clear on a major issue surrounding the club.
Josh, who has been involved with Arsenal’s board for over a decade, initially as a non-executive director, faced significant criticism during the protests following the failed attempt to join the European Super League in 2021.
Since then, Josh has become a more prominent public figure at Arsenal, especially compared to his father, who was nicknamed “Silent Stan” by fans for his low-profile approach. In 2023, Josh was appointed co-chair during a boardroom reshuffle and has overseen a resurgence on the pitch under manager Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu Gaspar.
Recently, Josh Kroenke revealed tentative plans to expand the Emirates Stadium and has now addressed another long-debated topic: the possibility of taking Premier League matches to the United States.
While the idea of hosting competitive games in the U.S. has been discussed as the Premier League’s popularity grows, Josh has expressed reservations about the move.
He stated that while it might seem appealing from a commercial perspective, Arsenal is satisfied with the current schedule both domestically and in Europe.
His focus remains on maintaining a strong connection with the club’s supporters and enhancing the home atmosphere at the Emirates.
Josh’s stance is notable, as it prioritizes fan experience over the potential financial gain that could come from playing matches abroad.
This is especially significant given the commercial growth of the Premier League in the U.S., which could generate substantial revenue for clubs like Arsenal.
For instance, Arsenal’s pre-season tour in the U.S. ahead of the 2024-25 season, which included a visit to the SoFi Stadium (home of Stan Kroenke’s LA Rams NFL franchise), likely earned the club around £10 million.
Despite the financial allure, Josh Kroenke’s commitment to keeping Arsenal’s matches at the Emirates reflects a desire to preserve the club’s connection with its local fan base. This decision aligns with the views of other football stakeholders, such as Bournemouth’s owner Bill Foley, who has also opposed taking Premier League matches to the U.S.
However, the conversation around exporting Premier League games abroad continues, especially with the recent appointment of Sean Bratches as chairman of Relevant, the agency seen as most likely to broker such deals.
Bratches has hinted at the possibility of taking Premier League matches overseas, highlighting the ongoing debate within the football community.
While the exact financial impact of hosting Premier League games in the U.S. remains uncertain, it’s clear that Arsenal, under Josh Kroenke’s leadership, is currently focused on strengthening its presence and connection with fans at home.
Josh Kroenke Takes Stand on Premier League Games in the U.S. Amid Arsenal’s Continued Growth Under His Leadership
