Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke has acquired the Los Angeles Angels, a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise, for £2.97bn. This purchase marks an MLB record and contributes to a summer total of nearly £23bn in US sports franchise sales across North America.
Kroenke's sporting empire now includes the Angels alongside Premier League champions Arsenal, the LA Rams NFL franchise, and the NBA's Denver Nuggets. His portfolio also features the Colorado-based Avalanche, Rapids, and Mammoth teams.
The Angels acquisition was part of a busy period for US sports. The LA Lakers were sold for £9.27bn, and the Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks changed hands for over £7bn. Other sales included the Minnesota Timberwolves basketball franchise for £3.34bn and a women's soccer expansion franchise from Atlanta for £122m. The San Diego Padres were also sold for £2.9bn.