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Arteta's pep talk sparked Rams' playoff push, says team president
One year ago, a two-hour conversation between Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay at the Rams' training facility became a turning point for both clubs. The Rams, reeling from a "terrible loss" that jeopardized their NFL playoff chances, went on to win six of their next seven games after McVay credited Arteta's leadership insights for reigniting his focus.
"Mikel walked into Sean's office, and they spent two hours discussing player connections, leadership, and how to navigate adversity," Rams president Kevin Demoff told BBC Sport. "Sean stepped back from the immediate frustration of the loss and refocused on what makes a great leader. I truly believe that conversation invigorated him-and it contributed to our late-season turnaround." The Rams ultimately clinched the NFC West title before falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs.
A shared philosophy under Kroenke's sports empire
Arteta and McVay's bond is more than personal-it's a cornerstone of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), the world's most valuable sports empire at $21.2bn (£16.3bn). Stan Kroenke, who owns the Rams, Arsenal, the NBA's Denver Nuggets, the NHL's Colorado Avalanche, and MLS's Colorado Rapids, has fostered a culture of cross-sport collaboration, prioritizing youth development and competitive ambition.
Both coaches, appointed in their 30s (McVay in 2017 at 30, Arteta in 2019 at 37), embody KSE's ethos: invest in young talent, reward growth, and demand excellence. The Nuggets' NBA title (2023) and the Avalanche's Stanley Cup (2022) underscore this approach, while Arsenal-currently atop the Premier League by four points-remain the sole KSE team without a major trophy under Kroenke's ownership. "Every conversation with them revolves around one goal: winning," Arteta said last month. "Their experience in sports is unmatched, and we're aligned in that ambition."
Lessons from adversity
McVay's fascination with Arteta's leadership style deepened after watching Arsenal: All or Nothing, the 2021-22 documentary chronicling the club's struggles. "Sean told me, 'I'm not sure I would've handled [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang's situation like Mikel did,'" Demoff recalled. "He admired how Mikel managed adversity-something he wanted to improve in himself."
"It's not just about the sport; it's about culture, managing people, and that willingness to learn. That curiosity is what connects us."
Mikel Arteta, ahead of the Rams' NFL game at Wembley, October 2025
Tactical exchanges: From tracking tech to global expansion
Collaboration between KSE's teams extends beyond philosophy. In 2012, the Rams trained at Arsenal's facility and adopted player-tracking devices after observing their use in football-a move that later helped them record the NFL's fewest injuries. Conversely, Arteta noted the Rams' extensive use of training-ground cameras and pushed Arsenal to implement similar systems.
Commercial synergy is growing too. With the Rams playing international games in 2025 and 2026, KSE is leveraging Arsenal's global footprint to expand fan engagement. In January, the group launched Kroenke Signature Properties (KSP), a division to streamline cross-market partnerships, capitalizing on events like the 2026 World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl, and 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
"The goal is to grow revenue-driving value into Arsenal for PSR [Profit and Sustainability Rules] while showcasing our brands at Emirates Stadium or SoFi Stadium. There's power in that global presence."
Kevin Demoff, Rams president and KSE team/media operations chief
Youth at the core
KSE's "DNA," as Demoff calls it, centers on nurturing homegrown talent. Arsenal's Bukayo Saka, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Ethan Nwaneri rose through the academy, while the Rams' Puka Nacua and Kobie Turner became stars after recent drafts. The Nuggets' Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray, both developed within the system, won the 2023 NBA Finals.
"When I joined Arsenal in 2021, the plan was clear: build through youth and challenge on all fronts," said Arsenal CEO Richard Garlick. "That vision is now reality."
'No limits': Why KSE's open-book culture sets it apart
Unlike rivals-such as the San Francisco 49ers, who own Leeds United and Rangers but guard their strategies-KSE encourages unfettered sharing. "There's no limit to what we exchange," Demoff said. "Whether it's analytics, scouting, or fan engagement, the belief is that transparency makes everyone better."
Arteta and McVay's meetings, held during off-seasons or international breaks, often focus on player connections and man-management. "They're like sponges," Garlick noted. "They absorb ideas, invite feedback-even from players-and reflect bravely. That's rare in elite coaching."
As KSE's teams prepare for a decade of global showcases, from the Premier League title race to the LA Olympics, their collaborative model may redefine how multi-club empires operate-proving that in sports, as in business, the sum can be greater than its parts.
