The sale of Anschutz Entertainment Group by Los Angeles Kings owner Philip F. Anschutz will not take place, the company announced Thursday.
Dan Beckerman will become president and CEO of the company, while Tim Leiweke will leave the company under a “mutual agreement”.
Leiweke had served as the company’s president and CEO since 1996 and had been a driving force in the Los Angeles Kings’ off-ice associations.
“We appreciate the role Tim has played in the development of AEG, and thank him for the many contributions he has made to the Company. We wish him well in his new endeavors” Mr. Anschutz said in a statement, linked by Daniel Kaplan of the Sports Business Journal.
There shouldn’t be a profound impact on the hockey operations of the Los Angeles Kings, as Dean Lombardi (President/General Manager, Alternate Governor) and Darryl Sutter (Head Coach) received January contract extensions. Luc Robitaille (President, Business Operations, Alternate Governor) also received a contract extension in January.
The extensions of those contracts “has created great predictability and certainty no matter who the owners are,” Leiweke told Helene Elliott of the LA Times in January.
More updates to come throughout the day.
Hmmm
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Neil Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 10:43 am
@shiny, P.S. Iam over 50 and I really like “Rise Against”.saw them in concert a few times..once with MCR….
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 10:50 am
@Neil, they’re a great band. Both are great bands
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jet Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:58 am
@Neil, you just had to rub it in
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WOW !!!! Does Tim keep his seats at Staples ??? Who is Dan Beckerman????
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Jeff Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 10:49 am
@Neil, Has been the CFO of the Kings for a while now. I wonder how this affects the NFL in Los Angeles.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 12:01 pm
@Jeff, Or vice-versa? Did the either or both of the LA Area stadium plans have anything to do with this?
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Tim Leiweike is leaving? I wonder how DL feels about that?
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jess Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 10:26 am
@puck73,
We can only hope that the next to take the chair is as enthusiastic of a kings fan as Leiweike. Somehow I doubt it.
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luc20rules Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:15 pm
@jess, It may not matter that much with the cap going down, and DL and others getting contract extentions for proving their worth to the organization. Also last year proved if you leave it to DL you will win the championship and have the most profitable season you have ever had. My guess is TL got a more lucretive offer, and decided to leave.
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goldielocks Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 10:49 am
@puck73,
We don’t know yet but this could be less money for the trade deadline.
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Michael J. Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 10:57 am
@goldielocks,
It is also just as likely that there will be more money at the trade deadline, or the exact same ammount at the deadline.
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:00 am
@Michael J., and we don’t even know if said money will be needed at the trade deadline…
Also, maybe its just me, nut I am really beginning to wonder if Jon Rosen has ever stayed up late and witnessed what goes on, on his blog between 1AM and 6AM?
Tell ya what, if Rich saw this pithy rubbish going on, he would have banned @DuncanZ and Phil Sykes permanately for sure. Also, @HockeyNerd and @WhatsTheFrequencyKenneth would have been moderated temporarily at the very least.
This blog is becoming dangerously close to getting out of control. Memo To Jon Rosen…keep an eye on things early in the morning in the near future before all hell breaks loose!
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Forum Gold Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 10:39 am
@puck73, Huge +1. GO KINGS GO!!!
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hockeyfanb4gretzky Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 10:47 am
@Forum Gold, As a long time reader and occasional blogger I completly agree.
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Neil Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 10:45 am
@puck73, Did anyone even read all the posts?? I stopped after 11:00…The “Late Night Crew” needs to start their own blog….
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 10:52 am
@Neil, I ducked out after 12 when the name calling started
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LVKINGS88 Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:21 am
@shiny, Come on Shins, you know you like them.I think @Duncandonuts is funny but @PSkotic is out of control, I haven’t read any of the wee hours in the morn stuff but I think @Sykes blogs are a little long winded.
Michael J. Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:02 am
@puck73,
If phil had a phone then they could text each other. Give the “poor” guy a break.
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LBlocal Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:15 am
@puck73, That whole thread needs an enema!
But good to read that Cluner is succeeding, in life.
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pr0cess Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:22 am
@puck73, whats this tom foolery and im not part of it lol… i was on the monitor list longer the anyone ever… like year and half…
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7MILforHickey Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:28 am
@pr0cess, seriously that phil sykes ducks fan guy is a bad attempt at a troll
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jp Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:53 am
@7MILforHickey, Agreed. Wish I could filter out his posts.
Deke'r Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 1:10 pm
@jp…..simple thing to do….DON’T READ THE POSTS!!….not rocket science…..hahahaha..
mrbrett7 Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:28 am
@puck73, I think I’ve made it pretty clear as to why I barely post anything anymore, and my days go back to when this blog was with The Daily News.
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jet Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:36 am
@mrbrett7, and I thought it was because you went to Denver. You do provide valuable insights.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 1:06 pm
@jet, Naw…still watch every game through center ice. Just as big a fan as ever. Even bathed in champagne when they won last year.
I just refuse to deal with childish people who only want to try to get a rise out of people instead of actually talking about hockey.
It’s the same reason why I haven’t visited the LGK website in at least 2 years now. It’s the same problem…only older people who think they know everything.
jet Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 12:00 pm
@puck73, Phil has been banned under so many different names, I question if it is even worth it.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 12:03 pm
@puck73, Step one was for the second person named to jump onto the thread and start calling names at ~midnight…something that he’s been regularly doing during “normal operating hours.”
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bbb7 Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 12:17 pm
@puck73, Agreed. There’s so little actual content in those late night threads Ive stopped even reading them. We need a bit more policing.
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tornado12 Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 12:45 pm
@puck73, i for one dont care what happens late at night. The last thing I want is for the blog to go back to the “OVER” policing policy as under the previous regime. honestly, if you dont like a post, then move on. no harm, no foul. In the end, its all just words!
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OCKingGirl Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 1:53 pm
@puck73, Whoa.. I went back and read some of that thread. Normally, I don’t go back to last night’s threads the next day. Seems like a lot of ranting about nothing by one party, and a little poking fun by the others. I generally skip over the ranting party’s posts anyway.
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Osaka Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:24 pm
@puck73, Its become a chatroom.
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linny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 7:24 pm
@puck73, ok….I agree with what u have to say in general but cannot comment on bans n moderation cuz I didn’t c it. and although I was part of 1 of the major arguments awhile back I have been low key since. But I was figuratively lynched for suggesting something had gotten out of hand. Somebody called me a “late-night crazy” for an iinnocuous comment. I don’t mind really because I have been called far worse at a forum that I moderate myself. But personal attacks and insults should cease here and now!
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luc20rules Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 9:11 pm
@puck73, See what happens when a story mentions someone trying to emulate Sean Avery? Kind of have to agree things got way to heated last night. Just looking at the clock on the posts I hope no one had to work the next day. I’ve always found the insiders to be friendly and a place to share Kings related stategies and memories. Sure there is some good natured humor, but it shouldn’t get to the point where it gets disrespectful.
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What does this mean in terms of the LA Kings? We spend a lot of money to keep our players here.. What if this new guy is like “nah, brah.. i need a bigger yatch” and then boom. Everyone is gone. I don’t like change..
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 10:45 am
@Mikey, Tim Leiweke was the president, not the owner. Besides, if AEG folds, so will the Lakers and Galaxy organizations. It’s in the new president’s best interest to keep these multi-billion dollar sport organizations alive because it ultimately pays his salary. If the entertainment part folds, the Anschutzes will have to fire the entire staff including the president.
I’m a tad suspicious about Leiweke leaving under “mutual agreement” but I wish him all the best in the future
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Michael J. Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:06 am
@Mikey,
Yah, that’s how it works. Anschutz and AEG probably picked this new guy out of the gutter last week and asked him if he wanted a job, kind of like Eddie Murphy in “Trading Places”.
I really hope this guy has a big enough yacht right now, I’d really hate to see Kopi, Quick & DD gone because someone needs a bigger boat.
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I sent Jon this story I wrote last week. It will help explain a lot of what’s going on here. I certainly hope things don’t get worse.
http://kingsnewsdaily.com/the-future-of-la-kings-ownership-is-getting-cloudy/
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 10:39 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), I really hope the case gets thrown out or at the very least the greedy money grubbing Jackson family will accept a low payout. Regardless of whose “fault” MJ’s death is, the family should be ashamed for trying to capitalize on the turn of events surrounding his death. At the end of day, he’s still dead and no matter how much money they get from it, it’s not going to bring him back
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puck73 Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 10:42 am
@shiny, When the coroners report listed Michael Jackson as 5″10 112lbs I knew that this freak had mental problems galore. His family on the other hand? They seem to be as screwed up as he was.
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 10:48 am
@puck73, even when he was alive they were like leeches trying to get stuff from him because he was the most successful out of all the kids (Janet was a close second). It’s absolutely disgusting and a disgrace to his name. He was a.supremely talented man with an F’d up family and years after his death, they still won’t let him.rest in peace
LVKINGS88 Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 10:59 am
@puck73, I did tile work at their house off Havenhurst back in the early eighties,very strange family,they had two llama’s in a pen and MJ wanted to put in a “It’s a small world” theme in the back yard.The Jackson movie was on yesterday and they used the very same house for the filming,it was a kick to see some of the work I did on the tele.MJ was very quiet and the mom did most of the talking,Janet was little but LaToya was hot, Joe wasn’t around much, I think he was cheating on MJ’s mom, all the brothers were there but just a strange family. I still kick myself for never getting a ‘Thriller’ album autographed,that thing would be worth bank.
Michael J. Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:08 am
@puck73,
300.7 Body Dysmorphic Disorder for starters.
IceGuy Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:18 am
@puck73,
Jackson was a drug addict. Simple and cold, but true.
jet Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:38 am
@puck73, bad father, bad kids. pretty simple really
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 12:07 pm
@puck73, Yeah, what some others said–it all came from Dad. Seems he twisted them all up really badly.
FKA PakiFro Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 10:50 am
@shiny,
Sounds like they have a reasonable case, if not a reasonable monetary demand.
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 10:55 am
@FKA PakiFro, really? $8 bill is a reasonable monetary demand when MJ wasn’t even worth that much alive? Death makes the stock rise, but to a “reasonable” $8 BILL?
I get it if they want AEG to take responsibility for the doctor but their monetary demand is.just pure greed.
FKA PakiFro Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:49 am
@FKA PakiFro,
I said the case is reasonable, not the monetary demand.
OCKingGirl Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 2:28 pm
@FKA PakiFro, I don’t think Anschutz is in danger of liability for big numbers here. The superseding criminal actions of the Dr. (He was convicted) break the chain of causation between AEG and Jackson’s death, unless Jackson’s family instructed the Dr. To kill him, which I’m sure didn’t happen and would be impossible to prove.
OCKingGirl Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 2:31 pm
@FKA PakiFro, ugh.. Typo.. Stupid iPhone. Unless the Jackson family can prove * AEG instructed” the Dr.
Munchrat Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:10 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Thanks for the earlier advice to check out KND. It wss already on my bookmarks bar.
I do have one issue with KND, however. That countdown clock is pure hell for those of us on the east coast who have to wait until 10:30PM for gametime!!!
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:19 am
@Munchrat, It’s a shame it doesn’t correct for other time zones. I actually thought it did!
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Neil Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:47 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), wouldnt the countdown be the same for east or west???? 8 hours till game till is still 8 hours away..right???
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 12:29 pm
Neil, I think you’re right. Hmm. I think I misunderstood Munchrat. Good, problem solved!
Thank you.
Kingsfanone Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 12:32 pm
@Neil,
Nice catch there!
interesting, Tim mentioned at the LA awards that he would soon have time to spend wiht his family again. Let’s face it, like or dislike the guy he increased the value of AEG by a quarter of a billion dollars last year. I wish him pure enjoyment with his family going forward.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 10:38 am
@jet, This is hardly a happy time for him. The sale has been an utter failure and for a guy like him, must be extremely disappointing. As for the value of the company, well that’s the rub.
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Neil Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 10:46 am
@jet, I like Tim and he is a good fan of the Kings…he yells at the refs and acts like all of us at a game..not just a “Suit”…
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jet Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 12:04 pm
@Neil, but, that was a problem. there are ways to yell at the ref and get a call, and there are ways to yell and the ref and have him lock up. Tim did not always see this distinction.
I do like the guy though. If you go back in this blog, I have been a backer for at least 5 years.
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Neil Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 12:18 pm
@jet, he was yelling from his seats….just like a regular fan…
jet Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 2:36 pm
@jet, I was reffering to ‘from his seats’.
puck73 Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 10:46 am
@jet, I will miss Tim Leiweike as well. I dont think their is any question that not only is he a huge Kings fan, but that he wanted that Stanley Cup as bad as any of us. Thank God he finally had enough sense in 2006 to let a Hockey person make hocke decisions. Hiring Dean Lombardi, and having faith in his vision and plan was genius.
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 10:56 am
@puck73, +1
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jet Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 12:05 pm
@puck73, agreed, it seems so simple from the outside what really needs to be done, but I still was not sure with DL until he unloaded Tuks
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Kingsfanone Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 12:14 pm
@puck73,
I agree too.
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goldielocks Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 10:55 am
@jet,
He also promised he’ll bring the football team to LA. I guess that’s gone with him …
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 10:58 am
@goldielocks, I think that that part was out of his control. There were so many issues- like where they would put it, I thought there was some hesitation from the NFL… and it seems fan interest waned
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:03 am
@shiny, Out of his control. Correct. That’s why the sale went south and he’s gone.
goldielocks Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:12 am
@shiny,
Yea, I heard the rumor that NFL gets leverage on pulling more money from other franchise-wanna-be cities by not selecting the 2nd biggest city as one.
jet Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:45 am
@goldielocks, people with a bank accounts ending in 10 zeros don’t understand it can’t be done. I think Paul is right, despite winning championships in soccer and hockey in the same year, there will not be a NFL game in LA in August.
hey, remember a few years ago when everyone on this blog hated Tim?
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Hopefully the suits realize that spending the money to have a top team out there sells out all the games + sells more merchandise + Stanly Cups = more $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
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jet Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:47 am
@King Cobra, but, that is more millions, which don’t really matter when you are working in billions. We, the Kings, are but a small pond.
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King Cobra Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:29 pm
@jet, My point was they will make more money by spending the money. The last few tears have proved that.
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jet Reply:
March 15th, 2013 at 4:24 pm
@King Cobra, that is true
Glad Uncle Phil finally came around….
Now, go win another Stanley Cup, Kings!!!!
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The extensions of those contracts “has created great predictability and certainty no matter who the owners are,” said the guy who was just handed his walking papers.
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jet Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:49 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Or, maybe the writing was on the way and he just wanted to get retiremnt contracts to those who helped him build. Either way, it was the right thing to do. Hopefully, he got a nice bonus also.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 1:38 pm
@jet,
I’d have to agree with Tim helping his people. Makes sense with what personality we saw from him.
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From this 44 year Kings diehard a big “Thank You” to Tim Leiweike for helping bring the Stanley Cup to this franchise. Your passion for Kings hockey has always been evident and I wish you well in your next endeavor. GO KINGS GO!!!
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puck73 Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:04 am
@Forum Gold, Totally agrre. Nicely stated
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Kingsfanone Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 12:16 pm
@Forum Gold,
Well said!
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mrbrett7 Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 1:08 pm
@Forum Gold, Thanks for stating this. I’m wearing my championship hat right now. You put in 44 years…I waited 30 years to buy this thing.
We earned it, and so time TL.
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Wow…just…wow. Totally unexpected news.
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Helene Elliot tweeted that Dan Beckerman, who will follow in TL’s footsteps, was CFO for Kings in the 90s
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LVKINGS88 Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:12 am
@shiny, Nooooooooo! we sucked back then.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:18 am
@shiny, His name is also on the Stanley Cup, unlike Loktionov who played…oh, never mind.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 12:17 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
That still stings, eh Paul.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 12:27 pm
@Kingsfanone, How’d you guess?
Good luck and have fun now with your family you deserve it for sure, big business is hard, see you at the games take care
Go Kings Go!
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Helene tweets that Dan has strong Kings ties but is unsure what he’ll mean for the future of the Kings. Also says Luc, Sutter and DL got contract extensions in January so that much will remain the same
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Did Leiweke try to stage a palace coup or something? The betwwen the lines reading of the statement about his departure sounds dangerously close to “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out”.
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:14 am
@Weasel, from what Paul said sounds like the no-sale cost Leiweke his job
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:25 am
@shiny,
Well, IMO it’s beyond obvious. When statements go from “it’s taking a long time to sell AEG because there are so many interested buyers,” to “we are terminating the sales process,” you don’t need to be a rocket-surgeon to figure it out. Especially after researching and writing my story last week. It’s a shame for Tim, but the NFL wasn’t biting and MJ is looming large from the grave.
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:45 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), ugh. Even death can’t stop.greed
Kingsfanone Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 12:20 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
I am a rocket surgeon. I concur.
Deke'r Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:05 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), ….well I’m only a rocket scientist so I can’t really say for sure…..
Weasel Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 2:20 pm
@shiny,
So then they are still trying to sell – just not this year?
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Hey Jon, I know now is probably not the best time, but can you get reactions from the players? In the SC video, DB related a story about Leiweke that was very touching. Just before the trade deadline game, Leiweje bursts into the locker room to assure Brownie he wasn’t being traded and that the rumors weren’t started by Kings org.
Shows Leiweke’s true passion for hockey and the individuals. I’m just curious about how he’d react to the news…
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Thanks for everything you did for the Kings Tim Leiweke. Best wishes to you and yours! I’m pretty sure Aunt Nancy will do all in her power to make sure Uncle Phil keeps the Kings relevant for many seasons to come now that it’s been decided not to sell.
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:44 am
@King Alex, +1
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My money says Tim will come back and head an organization to bring the 2024 Olympics to LA… watch
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jet Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 12:07 pm
@alma, I’ll bet on Governor Tim
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John Ireland hinted that his sources implied that Tim was fired…
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Shame. I know a lot of people didn’t like him, but if you ever sat near him at a game, you knew how much he cared about this team and its fans. Best of luck to you, Mr. Leiweke.
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I remember in the last home game, a scene of TL standing there with Luc next to the glass in one of the corner’s. You could see him joking around and laughing, and it looked like he was throwing ice at one of his co-workers. I’m sure by this point, he already knew…but still good to see him handle himself with class.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 1:44 pm
@mrbrett7,
I always liked having a passionate seemingly caring boss like Tim. Had a couple. We worked harder for them.
Thanks again Tim!
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jet Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:56 pm
@mrbrett7, He knew at the LA award banquet and said as much when he recieved the executive of year award. He also looked about 100 pounds overwieght. Hopefully, this will geve him some time to focus on himself. There can be positives here.
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Great loss for the Kings. Have season tickets by Tim and he has been a great fan of the Kings. I hope his spirit remains with the team. All of LA owe a big debt of gratitude. Best of luck to Tim. In wouldn’t be surprised to see him as part of an ownership group.
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Sorry to hear the news Tim. Thank you for loving this team as much as the rest of us.
Best to you and yours!
GO KINGS!
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I think this has to do with the AEG supported failure of the 0.5% sales tax hike then will ever be admitted. AEG = scum of the earth for supporting that Union trash. Clearly there is no room at AEG for quality over garbage.
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