Stan Kroenke Acquires Title of Largest Private Landowner in the U.S.

Stan Kroenke, a billionaire and owner of major sports teams including the Los Angeles Rams and the Denver Nuggets, has been designated the largest private landowner in the United States. This distinction follows his recent acquisition of 937,000 acres of land in New Mexico, as reported by The Land Report, which specializes in tracking private land holdings.

Major Land Acquisition

In December, Kroenke completed a historic purchase that represents the largest single land acquisition in the U.S. since 2011. This transaction increased his total land holdings to over 2.7 million acres across the American West and Canada.

Significant Land Holdings

His vast portfolio spans various properties, including:

• 60 million square feet of commercial space.
• Major sports venues in Inglewood, California, and Denver.
• Ownership of multiple sports franchises such as the Rams, Colorado Avalanche, and Arsenal soccer teams.

Historical Context

Before acquiring the New Mexico land, Kroenke notably purchased the 535,000-acre Waggoner Ranch in Texas in 2016. This ranch, which remained in the same family since its establishment in 1849, was the largest contiguous ranch in Texas. His acquisition history also includes:

• 124,000 acres of Broken O Ranch in Montana (2012).
• Winecup Gamble Ranch in Nevada from former Reebok chairman Paul Fireman (2019).

The Impact of Billionaires on Land Ownership

As shifts in capital flow toward land investment continue, experts like Eric O’Keefe from The Land Report suggest that land offers a steady return on investment through appreciation. The publication’s recent report indicated that the average acreage held by the top 100 landowners has increased from 378,000 acres to 430,000 acres over the past decade.

The Broader Trends in Land Investment

Billionaire acquisitions of land have rapidly increased, highlighting the appeal of land as a secure investment for the wealthy elite. To put Kroenke’s holdings into perspective, they exceed twice the land mass of Delaware, which covers 1.2 million acres, further emphasizing his significant stake in U.S. land ownership.

As this trend evolves, it raises questions about how land will be managed and utilized in the future. The implications of large private landownership extend beyond mere investments, influencing environmental, social, and economic landscapes across the country.

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