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Published: April 26, 2021 1:31 pm
Last Updated: April 26, 2021 1:38 pm
Why Daniel Ek became an Arsenal fan
Although there’s plenty of buzz that Spotify founder and CEO, Daniel Ek, could place an offer to buy Arsenal, there’s plenty of skepticism about whether a deal with the Kroenke family can be made.
Indeed, David Ornstein believes that Arsenal is the jewel in the crown of the Kroenke sport empire.
.@David_Ornstein on the Kroenkes: “They’ve never sold any of their sporting franchises & Arsenal are said to be the duel jewel in the crown, alongside the LA Rams & therefore, there would be no intention [of selling], which Josh Kroenke stated.” [Sky] #afc pic.twitter.com/kzV7HVIZYR
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) April 25, 2021
Nevertheless, after tweeting his interest in buying Arsenal last weekend, speculation that Ek could buy the Gunners continues to rise.
As a kid growing up, I’ve cheered for @Arsenal as long as I can remember. If KSE would like to sell Arsenal I’d be happy to throw my hat in the ring.
— Daniel Ek (@eldsjal) April 23, 2021
On Monday, Denis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira reportedly signed up to Ek’s takeover bid. While the Evening Standard believe an offer may come within days.
What is clear is that Ek is a long-time Arsenal fan.
Back in 2018, Ek revealed on Twitter that he’s been an Arsenal fan since 1991, when the club signed Swedish international Anders Limpar.
Limpar join the Gunners from Italian club Cremonese for a reported £1m.
I’ve been an Arsenal fan since 1991 (Anders Limpar). Yet, the despair (normally it’s a roller coaster) this season has been something else. First real game I felt at peace.
— Daniel Ek (@eldsjal) January 20, 2018
Ek has also revealed that his second favourite club is Borussia Dortmund, so he was happy when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang moved from Germany to north London.
My other favorite team has always been Dortmund. So I’m excited. Even more excited if Auba joins too 😜
— Daniel Ek (@eldsjal) January 23, 2018
Ek’s ‘fascination’ with Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man United
In 2017, Ek listed his 10 favourite books for Vulture magazine.
First place went to ‘Hit Men’, by Fredric Dannen, while his second pick was ‘The Minefield Girl’, written by his wife, Sofia Ek.
‘Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind’, by Yuval Noah Harari, was third, while ‘Black Box Thinking’, by Matthew Syed, was fourth.
Then, in fifth spot, Ek picked ‘Leading’, by Sir Alex Ferguson with Michael Moritz.
From ‘Leading’, Sir Alex Ferguson’s ‘Ones that got away’. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/gdytJdV4yJ
— Tifo Football (@TifoFootball_) July 1, 2016
Spotify’s Swedish CEO told Vulture:
I struggled with whether or not to include this one, as I’m a Gooner – that means Arsenal fan, by the way – but the fact is that Sir Alex grew Manchester United into one of the best-known brands today, and that’s what fascinates me about him.
Daniel Ek, CEO of Swedish music streaming service Spotify, gestures as he makes a speech at a press conference in Tokyo on September 29, 2016. Spotify kicked off its services in Japan on September 29. / AFP / TORU YAMANAKA (Photo credit should read TORU YAMANAKA/AFP via Getty Images)
Daniel Ek’s thoughts on money
In 2013, Ek sat down with the Financial Times for an in-depth interview.
One of the eye-catching statements Ek made to the FT was on the topic on money and wealth.
After admitting he made a lot of “stupid mistakes” having become so wealthy so young, Ek said:
Buying sports cars, going to expensive nightclubs, spraying people with champagne and things like that: what I learnt is that it wasn’t for me and, in fact, I feel pretty empty after doing that.
Spotify founder Daniel Ek has lunch with the FT, and lets us in on his 10 favourite tracks http://t.co/NyaSj8WS4O pic.twitter.com/usezvE2JV4
— Financial Times (@FT) September 27, 2013