Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar and former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone have long shared more than just a home arena—they’ve also shared the same boss: Josh Kroenke, owner of both franchises.
On Tuesday, Kroenke stunned the NBA world by firing Malone and Nuggets GM Calvin Booth with just three games remaining in the regular season. Malone had been with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) since June 2015, while Bednar took over the Avalanche bench a little over a year later in August 2016.
Despite coaching in two very different sports, Bednar and Malone have both called Ball Arena home for nearly a decade. During their respective tenures, both the Nuggets and the Avalanche captured championships, solidifying their legacies in Denver sports.
KSE frequently holds events where Bednar and Malone would cross paths, sometimes even on a yearly basis. Given that shared history and the timing of the news, it was no surprise that following the Avalanche’s win over the Golden Knights on Tuesday night, Bednar was asked about Malone’s sudden dismissal.
“It’s tough decisions, competitive. You know, business,” Jared Bednar said, carefully choosing his words after the Avalanche’s win over Vegas. “I hate to see it because I’ve gotten to know him a little bit over the course of the time. He’s done a heck of a job here.”
Bednar’s tone was clearly sympathetic toward Michael Malone, whose tenure with the Nuggets ended abruptly despite bringing Denver its first NBA title just last summer—more recent than Bednar’s Stanley Cup win with the Avs in 2022.
“He was able to bring a championship here, so those are always tough decisions for the organization,” Bednar added. “Heart always goes out to those guys. I hate to see it, but sometimes, you know, it happens in this business.”
While Josh Kroenke is known to be more hands-on with the Nuggets than the Avalanche, it’s hard not to wonder if Bednar felt a chill from Malone’s dismissal. With a difficult first-round playoff series against the Dallas Stars looming, the pressure is only mounting.
If the Avs fall short early, could there be more surprises coming out of KSE? Time will tell. For now, fans can only hope Bednar guides Colorado on another deep postseason run—this time, without his longtime Ball Arena counterpart by his side.
Leave a Reply