Quick Facts: Denver Nuggets
| Current Owner | Stan Kroenke (Josh Kroenke, President & Governor) |
| Ownership Type | Private |
| Owner Since | 2000 |
| Parent Entity | Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) |
| Championship | 2023 (first in franchise history) |
| Also Owns | Denver Broncos, LA Rams, Colorado Avalanche, Arsenal FC |
| Family Wealth Source | Real estate (Kroenke Group) + Walmart family ties (wife Ann Walton Kroenke) |
Who Owns the Denver Nuggets?
Stan Kroenke has owned the Denver Nuggets since 2000, when he acquired the team along with the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche as part of building out Kroenke Sports & Entertainment in Denver.
Kroenke’s fortune comes from real estate development through the Kroenke Group, significantly amplified by his marriage to Ann Walton Kroenke, a member of the Walmart founding family — though the Nuggets and his other teams are held separately from the Walton family’s own business interests.
His son Josh Kroenke now serves as team president and NBA governor, running day-to-day operations while Stan focuses on the broader, multi-sport Kroenke empire that spans four leagues and two continents.
The Nuggets won their first NBA championship in franchise history in 2023, led by Nikola Jokić, giving the Kroenke family its first title with the basketball team specifically after earlier success with the Avalanche and Rams.
Denver Nuggets Ownership History
| Year | Event | Owner / Key Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Franchise founded (ABA) | Original Denver ownership group | Joined NBA in 1976 merger |
| 2000–Present | Stan Kroenke acquires the team | Stan Kroenke | Bundled with Colorado Avalanche purchase |
| 2023 | First NBA championship | Kroenke family | Nikola Jokić led the title run |
About the Kroenke Sports Empire
Stan Kroenke has built one of the largest multi-league ownership portfolios in global sports, controlling teams across the NBA, NFL, NHL, and Premier League through Kroenke Sports & Entertainment and related entities.
Josh Kroenke has increasingly become the operational face of the family’s Denver-based teams specifically, while Stan remains the ultimate controlling owner across the entire portfolio, including the LA Rams and England’s Arsenal FC.
Key Ownership Highlights
- The Nuggets and Avalanche were bought together in 2000: a single acquisition that gave Kroenke control of Denver’s NBA and NHL franchises simultaneously.
- Kroenke’s sports empire spans four major leagues: the NBA (Nuggets), NFL (LA Rams), NHL (Avalanche), and Premier League (Arsenal FC).
- The 2023 championship was the Nuggets’ first ever: ending decades without a title, led by two-time MVP Nikola Jokić.
- Josh Kroenke runs day-to-day Denver operations: while Stan Kroenke remains the ultimate owner across the full multi-league portfolio.
- The family’s real estate wealth and Walmart family ties are separate income streams: Stan’s Kroenke Group business and his marriage into the Walton family both contribute to, but remain distinct from, the sports holdings themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the Denver Nuggets?
Stan Kroenke, who has owned the team since 2000, with son Josh Kroenke serving as team president and governor.
What other teams does the Kroenke family own?
The Denver Broncos (NFL), Los Angeles Rams (NFL), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), and Arsenal FC (Premier League).
Have the Nuggets won an NBA championship?
Yes, in 2023 — the franchise’s first title, led by Nikola Jokić.
How is Stan Kroenke connected to the Walmart family?
He is married to Ann Walton Kroenke, a member of the family that founded Walmart.
Who runs the Nuggets’ day-to-day operations?
Josh Kroenke, Stan’s son, serves as team president and NBA governor.
Other Teams Owned by the Kroenke Family
The Nuggets are one piece of a four-league sports empire.