Stan Kroenke

Mr. E. Stanley Kroenke was officially introduced as the owner of the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche and Pepsi Center on July 6, 2000.

Related Topics:
Denver Nuggets - Colorado Avalanche - Pepsi Center

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

One of the top owners in professional sports, his commitment to excellence has been obvious inside and outside of the Pepsi Center since his arrival. Substantial amounts have been invested in improvements and additional attractions to enhance the entertainment experience for every visitor to the property.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Kroenke Sports Enterprises, Mr. Kroenke's Denver based company, acquired the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer in 2004, the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League and a one-third interest in the Colorado Crush of the Arena Football League in 2002, and is instrumental in hosting the Centrix Financial Grand Prix of Denver - all contributing to the broad sporting tastes of Rocky Mountain sports fans. In addition, he has been instrumental in bringing the sports world's biggest stars to Denver. The Pepsi Center played host to the 2001 NHL All-Star Game and the 2004 National Lacrosse League All-Star Game, and this year will host the 2005 NBA All-Star Game.

Related Topics:
Rocky Mountain - NHL All-Star Game - National Lacrosse League

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Under Mr. Kroenke's direction, Kroenke Sports Enterprises recently launched two of the company's most ambitious projects to date. In September, 2004, Altitude Sports and Entertainment, a 24-hour regional television network created by the company, began operation, becoming the new television home for the Colorado Avalanche, Denver Nuggets, and Colorado Mammoth. Altitude will also feature other professional, collegiate, and high school sporting events, as well as outdoors and lifestyle programming, entertainment and community programming from throughout the Rocky Mountain West.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On July 26, Kroenke Sports Enterprises announced plans to build a state-of-the-art soccer facility, on over 160 acres in Commerce City, Colorado. The complex will include a 20,000 seat soccer stadium and up to 20 other fields for youth soccer. An additional 200 acres will be developed by Mr. Kroenke around the facility for commercial purposes. All told, the project is expected to create at least 500 jobs for the community.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Another new enterprise recently added is the Blue Sky Grill restaurant located on the ground floor of the Pepsi Center, which offers patrons and the general public alike an opportunity to enjoy quality fare in a mountain lodge setting. It immediately became "the destination" before and after every event in the arena.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mr. Kroenke and his management group also guided the development of the Universal Lending Pavilion, a 5,500 seat outdoor amphitheatre on the Pepsi Center grounds that hosts over 40 events in the summer months. In 2002 the Paramount Theater was purchased, a historic landmark in nearby downtown. This theatre is being restored to its original glory. These unique entertainment facilities provide the public with access to numerous musical and cultural events in beautiful, intimate settings.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mr. Kroenke's enthusiasm and vision ensure that Denver will continue to be the top entertainment destination in the Rocky Mountain region for generations to come.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Rocky Mountain News recently named Mr. Kroenke the second-most significant person in the Denver arts and entertainment community, saying "No other person entertains more people more often."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On the charitable front, Kroenke Sports Enterprises' first priority has been the Colorado community. Behind Mr. Kroenke's leadership, over $13 million in contributions have been made to Colorado charities through the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche Community Funds and funds of the McCormick Tribune Foundation, since his arrival in 2000.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Kroenke Sports Enterprises' dedication to success has been clearly evidenced by consistent playoff runs by the Colorado Avalanche, highlighted in June 2001 when the Colorado Avalanche defeated the New Jersey Devils to win the Stanley Cup Championship, and by the remarkable turnaround of the Nuggets resulting in their 2003-4 season return to playoff contention.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Historically no stranger to championships, Mr. Kroenke is also Vice-Chairman and co-owner of the 2000 Super Bowl Champion St. Louis Rams. A native Missourian, his emergence as an owner of the Rams was critical in the effort to return professional football to St. Louis in 1995.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mr. Kroenke is Chairman and Owner of The Kroenke Group, a private real estate investment and development company with properties located throughout the United States and Canada, including the Rocky Mountain region. Over the past two decades, he has built a reputation as one of the nation's leading developers of shopping centers and apartment buildings.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mr. Kroenke's current and former board and trustee memberships include Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Central Bank Holding Company, Boone County National Bank, Community Investments Partnership of St. Louis, the College of the Ozarks, and the Missouri Basketball Hall of Fame. He is a member of St. Louis's Civic Progress, which provides support and leadership for various community improvements that promote economic development, education and quality of life.

Related Topics:
Wal-Mart Stores - Missouri Basketball

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mr. Kroenke holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Missouri. His son Josh played Basketball for MU under the direction of Quin Snyder.

Related Topics:
University of Missouri - Quin Snyder

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~