Two huge football games are taking place today, thousands of miles apart, but with one major commonality- Kroenke family ownership. Both Arsenal football club, who play at Manchester City in the Premier League’s biggest match this weekend and the Los Angeles Rams, who face the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, are financial holdings within the Kroenke business empire.
It’s going to be a big day for the Kroenkes, in both English football and American football. Arsenal director Josh Kroenke, son of club owner Stan Kroenke, said in an interview with the Telegraph that he sees similarities between Rams coach Sean McVay and Arsenal manager Unai Emery.
“We feel like we have a great teacher in Unai. I think he and Sean are very comparable in the way they approach their craft on a daily basis,” Kroenke said.
“There is a lot of data they break down. They are very active on the practice pitch. Their styles are similar, even though they are half a world apart. Unai’s energy is contagious and his dedication is immense. They love what they do and are leaders. The players want to run through a wall for them.”
McVay will become the youngest man to ever coach in a Super Bowl tonight. The Rams are slight underdogs, but if they can upset the Patriots and win all of the glory, it would be a feat on par with reaching the UEFA Champions League final; at least in the eyes of Kroenke.
“The only thing on a par with the Super Bowl is Arsenal making the Champions League final,” he continued. “It is something we are very focused on.”
“I have been telling my friends all week the Super Bowl is the biggest spectacle that we have here and the Champions League is something in Europe that we strive for and we look forward to being a part of in the future.”
Kroenke also added that they have plans for a “cross-pollination” between their two major sports ventures.
Arsenal at Manchester City FYIs
Injury Report for both sides: go to this link
Odds via Bet365: City win win 2/7, Draw 5/1, Arsenal FC win 15/2
Kickoff: Sunday, February 3, 4:30 PM local, City of Manchester Stadium
Google Result Probability: Manchester City win 74%, Draw 16% Arsenal win 10%
Starting XI Predictions: Manchester City Arsenal FC
Injury report for both teams: go to this link
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.