Kroenke plans to maintain ownership of Nuggets for now

DENVER (AP) -- Stan Kroenke says he plans to keep ownership of the NHL's Colorado Avalanche and NBA's Denver Nuggets in his family if he gains full control of the NFL's St. Louis Rams.

The Missouri billionaire owns 40 percent of the Rams and is trying to acquire the rest, but NFL rules prohibit owners from also owning clubs in the NBA, NHL or Major League Baseball.

Kroenke told The Denver Post in Tuesday's editions he would transfer some or all of the Nuggets to his 30-year-old son Josh, the Nuggets' vice president of team development.

It wasn't clear how he would handle ownership of the Avalanche.

Officials with Kroenke Sports Enterprises and the NBA didn't immediately return messages Tuesday from The Associated Press.

NBA commissioner David Stern told the newspaper Kroenke hasn't formally notified the league of any plans to transfer the Nuggets to his son. A transfer would have to be approved by the NBA board of governors.

Stern called the Kroenkes a "very smart business and basketball family."

The NFL released a statement saying its finance committee is still reviewing Kroenke's proposal, but league spokesman Brian McCarthy said he couldn't confirm Kroenke's plans.

An NHL spokesman had no immediate comment.

Stan Kroenke told The Post that "family continuity" is important.

"My family looks forward to owning the Rams, Nuggets and Avalanche for years to come while being compliant with all stipulations set by the NFL. Our family remains committed to fans in St. Louis and Denver," he said.

Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriguez currently own the 60 percent share of the Rams. They reached an agreement in February to sell to Illinois businessman Shahid Khan for an estimated $750 million. In April, Kroenke exercised his right to match the offer.

The NFL has worked around its cross-ownership rules before. In 1994, Wayne Huizenga bought the Miami Dolphins when he already owned the Florida Marlins and Florida Panthers.