With Thursday’s news that Los Angeles Kings owner Philip Anschutz would not be selling the Anschutz Entertainment Group, and that Kings Governor and AEG Vice President and CEO Timothy Leiweke would be leaving the company by a mutual agreement, I spoke briefly with Kings President of Business Operations and Alternate Governor Luc Robitaille about how these developments would affect the team’s operations. Several other topics covered with Robitaille will be posted throughout the weekend.
On whether he anticipates any changes in light of Philip Anschutz’s announcement:
“Nothing’s going to change from day-to-day operations. I run the business operations, and Dean runs the hockey operations, and the way it is right now is the way it’s going to stay. Our ownership group stays the same. A lot of us were discussing with Dan [Beckerman] from time to time, so we don’t see anything changing.”
On Dan Beckerman’s Los Angeles Kings ties:
“Probably a lot of people don’t know that, but Dan Beckerman started with the Kings, and so did Ted Fikre. Dan’s always been very passionate about the Kings. He was one of the happiest people in Los Angeles when we won the Cup, and it’s a lot to say that when he gets a night off, we’d see him with his family at the games. He just absolutely loves the Kings. From that standpoint, I don’t think our fans will lose anything from a passion point of view.”
On Tim Leiweke’s passion towards the Kings:
“We’re certainly going to miss Tim’s passion in our organization. I want to make sure that’s clear. Like, Dan has passion for our team, but it came from Tim’s passion, so it’s unfortunate he’s going to leave.”
Beckerman, who formerly served as AEG’s Chief Operating Officer / Chief Financial Officer, is one of the 52 people associated with the Kings to have their name engraved on the Stanley Cup. After serving as Vice President, Finance of the Los Angeles Clippers for two seasons, he joined the AEG as the Kings’ CFO in 1997.
No more “Lie-weekly”, now “Bicker-man”???
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jet Reply:
March 15th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
@Michael J., only until he wins us a cup
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It will be interesting to hear what Tim Leiweke has to say if he continues with his plan to be interviewed. Personally, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that AEG gets pulled off the market and at the same time it’s announced that, through mutual agreement with Anschutz, Leiweke leaves. Personally I think he was essentially fired. His leave taking was too sudden. Normally an announcement is made that a top executive is leaving but his/her actual departure date isn’t until several weeks or months in the future.
However, I do agree with Luc’s assessment that the day to day running of the Kings will not change as a result of Leiweke’s departure.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
March 15th, 2013 at 3:38 pm
@Forum67,
As long as the people that Leiweke installed to run the day to day ops remain in their positions, as well as if the new boss doesn’t take a more hands on approach than Tim may have had. (Meaning Anshutz)
When management positions change, there’s always residual affects. Some more noticeable to laymen than others.
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WTF…I really hope that we don’t have to miss Leiweke. For our sake, his replacement better be of the “full steam ahead” approach.
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Deke'r Reply:
March 15th, 2013 at 5:12 pm
@He Shoots, He Scores, ….could be he’s “fiscally” responsible….bummer…
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I didn’t understand selling AEG with the pending NFL deal still up in the air unless they think it won’t happen. If that’s the case then sell before everyone finds out.
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Mars Reply:
March 15th, 2013 at 3:22 pm
@LA_1968, I still dont get the whole NFL deal, it will take a hot minute to biuild the dang place, and whom would we get? Expansion? IDK.
That’s why I only watch Hockey.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
March 15th, 2013 at 3:44 pm
@LA_1968,
That may be what they were hoping would happen. Oops. Too late.
Buy low. Sell high. Anshutz tried to. Still could happen if the right buyer comes along, toting a large boatload of cash. A very large boatload.
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
March 15th, 2013 at 4:04 pm
@Kingsfanone,
AEG wanted to take an existing team, say SD, buy half of it @ SD prices, then move the team to LA where the team would immediately double in value. That was a no go from the existing owners viewpoint. AEG needed 24 owners to sign. With an NFL team in his stable, Anshutz could have sold AEG in a hot snot.
NFL would’ve had trouble sleeping at night knowing that their new LA partner was saddled with 10 Billion dollar debt service and obligations scattered all over the globe.
AEG’s NFL in LA was Leiweke’s baby. He couldn’t get the deal done, but his profile in LA would have been too big to remain. Pity really as he was one hell of an operator. Best of luck to him I say, and thank you very much!!
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I hereby volunteer to serve as the King’s new Governor (for nachos of course). I know, it will be difficult, going to every King’s game, going to every King’s event, talking to King’s fans, meeting with the players, wearing Kings gear, hanging with the legends. It will be rough, but I am completely willing to sacrifice and suck it up for the benefit of the King;s organization and fans everywhere. No, no, no, don’t try to talk me out of it, I feel I need to to do this for everyone’s benefit and I will just suffer through it. I have a new suit and tie and am ready to report, so just let me know when and where you need me and I will be there. Then things I am willing to do for the King’s.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
March 15th, 2013 at 3:46 pm
@DesertKing,
Such a trooper. And for nachos. I’m surprised!
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jet Reply:
March 15th, 2013 at 3:49 pm
@DesertKing, Hey Bud, the nacho machine needs to be cleaned. Hey, hey, are you daydreaming again? Go clean the nacho machine.
Thanks, Nacho
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DesertKing Reply:
March 15th, 2013 at 3:55 pm
@jet,
If cleaning the nacho machine is part of the Governor’s duties, I will happily perform that function of office. I guess you just get a bunch if chips and scoop then scrape the cheese out?
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Mars Reply:
March 15th, 2013 at 4:01 pm
@DesertKingNacho, licking it does not count as cleaning!
They should have said sanitize!
DesertKing Reply:
March 15th, 2013 at 4:16 pm
@Mars
I’m clean I tell ya. I went to the doctor and he said the medicine wortked! I als oswore that whenever someone mentions the “S” word, I would no longer look meet up with virgins at Hollywood and Vine.
NEXT
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the word “shouldnt” should scare everybody ………. maybe not this season since its basically over already once the deadline hits , regarding adding players ………….. but the future …….. who knows …… so the word shouldnt is a scary word to me
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Cool hand Luc!! The guy is so cool. Could not have a nicer, better guy running our biz ops….
Thanks for all you do Luc!!!!
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