Arsenal’s majority shareholder Stan Kroenke has launched a new bloodsport channel in the UK.

Just because Kroenke’s public image wasn’t bad enough in the UK, he’s decided to launch a new and highly controversial TV channel, to the fury of many.

My Outdoor TV, the Independent reports, is a bloodsport channel that shows people hunting lions and elephants for trophies. It’s been described as the “Netflix of the hunting world”. The channel is owned by Outdoor Sportsman Group, a part of Kroenke Sport Entertainment.

The channel’s content has been described as “sickening”, as its programmes shows the slaughter of animals by gun or even a bow and arrow. It’s been condemned by animal rights activists and just about anyone who doesn’t like seeing defenceless animals killed for sport.

Phillipa King, chief operating officer of League Against Cruel Sports, has spoken out against it. “We’re living in a world now where most people can see how brutal and shameful trophy hunting is, yet the Arsenal boss is choosing to launch his sick TV channel in the UK,” she said, as reported by The Times. 

“Most people won’t agree that trophy hunting is in any way ethical, and studies have debunked claims that most of the blood money goes towards supporting conservation. I’m not sure in what way an idiot with a gun against an elephant is a fair chase.

“Mr Kroenke could do the world a great favour by stopping peddling this kind of sickening TV and turning his focus on helping the animals he apparently likes to see killed.”

This will do nothing for Kroenke’s ailing reputation amongst Arsenal fans. Many already dislike him for his lack of investment in the club. This channel will only make things worse, as Arsenal’s name will now needlessly be associated with bloodsports.

Frankly, there’s no room for this type of programming on TV and the last thing the club needs is to have its owner dragged into a big controversy.