The Daily News compiled a list of the 50 most powerful figures in Los Angeles sports, and the Kings were well represented. From ownership to hockey operations and digital engagement and outreach, the Kings, buoyed by a pair of Stanley Cups and a sell-out streak that reached 161 consecutive regular season and playoff games, have operated with a successful confluence of business and hockey operations in their attempts to continue to provide championship caliber hockey while venturing to grow the game in Southern California. It didn’t produce a playoff berth this season, but the level of interest in the Kings and in hockey is vastly beyond what it was four years ago at this time.
1. Casey Wasserman, CEO Wasserman Media Group
2. PHILIP ANSCHUTZ, AEG CHAIRMAN
“The world’s largest owner of sports teams and sporting events owns the reigning NHL and MLS champions, the L.A. Kings and L.A. Galaxy, in addition to a third of the Lakers. Staples Center and StubHub Center are two of 125 sports and music venues worldwide controlled by AEG.”
3. Magic Johnson, Dodgers and Sparks owner, Lakers Hall of Famer
4. Kobe Bryant, Lakers guard
5. Mark Walter, Dodgers Chairman
6. Vin Scully, Dodgers broadcaster
7. Jeanie Buss, Lakers owner
8. Stan Kroenke, St. Louis Rams owner
9. Steve Ballmer, Clippers owner
10. Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell, WME co-CEOs
11. Doc Rivers, Clippers Coach and President of Basketballl Operations
12. Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles Mayor
13. Evan Rosenblum, TMZ Sports
14. Pat Haden, USC Athletic Director
15. DAN BECKERMAN, AEG PRESIDENT AND CEO
“The president and CEO of AEG is the face of the company that owns the Galaxy, the Kings, Staples Center and StubHub Center, to name a few of AEG’s hundreds of properties around the world.”
16. Arte Moreno, Angels owner
T17. Mike Trout, Angels outfielder, AL MVP
T17. Clayton Kershaw Dodgers pitcher, NL MVP
19. Mike White, DirecTV Chairman, CEO and President
20. The Rose Bowl
21. Rob Dyrdek, Street League Skateboarding Founder
22. Chris Paul, Clippers guard
23. Stan Kasten, Dodgers President
24. Eric Shanks, Fox Sports President and COO
25. Scott Boras, agent
26. David Simon, L.A. Sports Council President
27. Dr. Robert Watkins, sports medicine
28. Dan Guerrero, UCLA Athletic Director
29. Mike Scioscia, Angels Manager
30. Yasiel Puig, Dodgers outfielder
31. DEAN LOMBARDI, KINGS PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER
“Now in his ninth year with the Kings organization, the general manager built the first two championships teams in franchise history largely through the draft, putting his fingerprints all over the two Stanley Cups and setting up the Kings for potential success for years to come.”
32. Ronda Rousey, MMA fighter
33. Jim Mora, UCLA football coach
34. Tommy Trojan
35. Oscar De La Hoya, boxing promoter
36. Bill Simmons, Grantland.com Editor
37. Gillian Zucker, Clippers President of Business Operations
38. Long Beach Poly High School
39. Casey Close, agent
40. Andrew Friedman, Dodgers President of Business Operations
41. Anita DeFrantz, LA84 Foundation President
42. Robbie Keane, Galaxy forward
43. Kathryn Schloessman, L.A. Sports and Entertainment Commission President
44. Bob Baffert, horse racing
45. DARRYL SUTTER, KINGS COACH
“Leading his team to the 2012 title as a No. 8 seed followed by a 2014 championship run that included Game 7 victories in three consecutive playoff series, Sutter isn’t just bringing home hardware, he’s doing it in a fashion that won’t soon be forgotten in Los Angeles.”
46. Patrick Soon-Shiong, Lakers minority owner
47. John Force, NHRA driver
48. Dr. Neal ElAttrache, sports medicine
49. Steve Clarkson, quarterbacks coach
50. PAT DONAHUE, JR., KINGS DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MEDIA
“The man behind the L.A. Kings innovative twitter account epitomizes the power of social media combined with sports. Whether he’s bantering with fans or foes, Donahue’s wit and creativity have stolen a few headlines from those on the ice during a run that claimed two of the last three Stanley Cups.”
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