Stan Kroenke learns $264m lesson as Arsenal plot stunning Declan Rice transfer

Arsenal news: Stan Kroenke's Denver Nuggets made history in the NBA Finals this week with huge help from the Arsenal owner's decision making

Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke made history overnight by becoming the first owner to win three major North American sports titles after his Denver Nuggets were crowned 2023 NBA champions.

The championship win is the Nuggets' first in their 47 seasons since joining the NBA, adding another huge win to Kroenke Sports & Entertainment's impressive list of triumphs. Kroenke also owns the 2021/22 NFL Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams, the 2021/22 NHL Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche and the National Lacrosse League Cup Champion Colorado Mammoth.

The Nuggets defeated Miami Heat across the five-game series, winning four matches across the space of 12 days. Monday night's 94-89 win in Denver, courtesy of Nikola Jokic's 28 points, completed the series in an emotional night for all involved.

"I mean, to me he's been the most amazing thing ever," Kroenke told Marca. "I've watched a lot of basketball, I played basketball, I love the game and my son played at a high level. I mean, Nikola is the most amazing thing I've ever seen in basketball."

Kroenke's decision to hand Jovic one of the most expensive deals in basketball has certainly paid off. And it would not be surprising to see the American businessman translate his methods onto Arsenal this summer.

The Gunners, of course, fell short in the Premier League title race in the final few weeks despite leading eventual treble winners Manchester City for the majority of the season. Since Kroenke became majority shareholder in 2011, the north Londoners have won four FA Cups and four Community Shield titles, but are yet to lift England's most prized trophy.

For many, the sizable price tag for Rice is viewed as smart business. Yet smashing the club's transfer record will always provide its critics in today's market. However, Kroenke's Jovic decision has paid off within the first year and could be a similar story with Rice's imminent move to the Emirates Stadium.

Paying over £100million for a midfielder could prove to be the difference between another second-placed finish or Kroenke bringing success to another one of his franchise.