alt="LA Kings Insider with Rich Hammond" />As promised, here is the full Q&A that I conducted with Kings governor Tim Leiweke. The questions were entirely reader-submitted — in a couple instances, questions were combined — and selected only by me, and Leiweke was not made aware, in advance, of what questions I would be asking. You’ll see, though, that he did take the time to scan at least some of the questions in advance. I did my best, in 45 minutes, to cover as wide and interesting a variety of topics as I could. Thanks for reading the lengthy interview here…
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Question: Is the current management group something we can expect to see for years to come? In other words, will Dean Lombardi get a contract extension or will that be evaluated once his contract is up?
LEIWEKE: “At the end of last season, the day after the last game, we pulled everybody together, Dean and Hex [Ron Hextall] and all the coaches and players, and had a pretty frank discussion with everyone about how we made progress, but everyone needs to go into this offseason understand that our goal and our mission statement now is: we have to, and we will, make the playoffs next season. What we told the team is, `We’ll do what we have to do, and we’ll make the improvements we need to make, and in turn, you have to go take care of your business during the summer.’ I felt that same way for the coaches, for Dean and for the players, which is, we had to go show, this year, that we were capable of taking that next step, and if we didn’t have that kind of progress, then I think we were really going to lose a lot of credibility with our fans. We’ve put them through an awful lot here. So I’m glad that we accomplished that.
“I think, now, that there is a new goal, and all of us, especially Dean, Hex and us — the ownership — believe that we can cause some havoc here. The commitment that I have with Dean is that as soon as the season is done, he and I will sit down and have a conversation. We have a year left on the contract. He understands that, and I was very blunt with him, during the course of the year, that we had to make the playoffs this year. He has done a good job of getting us there. Both Dean and I agree that the No. 1 priority now is the focus, and the learning curve, straight ahead, and that’s what we’re going to do now, is stay focused on that, and then at the end of this season — and I hope it’s May or June, and not April — we’ll sit down and start dealing with some of the decisions we need to make. But I believe Dean has done a good job of getting us to this point, and I’m pleased.
“We obviously took an enormous amount of flack when we let go of a legend like Dave Taylor and brought Dean in. I think the mission that we gave Dean, and the course that we charted at that time, was, `We want to compete every year for the Stanley Cup, not one year for the Stanley Cup, and no matter what pain we have to go through here, get us to that point.’ I believe we are on the verge of that point, so from that standpoint, he’s done a good job.”
Question: Does Lombardi have the financial support/OK to go after a high-salaried player during the upcoming offseason?
LEIWEKE: “Let me give a more general answer to what seems to be a constant question that the fans have for us, which is, `Are we committed to the Kings?’ I will admit, I’m troubled, and puzzled, by that one, because anyone who has spent any time with me, including the staff, the players, Dean, knows how passionate we are about the hockey team. Yes, we are a big company now and, yes, we have a lot of things that command our attention on a daily basis. But I’ve always thought it was critical for us to take the first piece of what began with AEG, which was the L.A. Kings, and prove that we, in fact, can be very good owners and have great success. We’ve had, as an organization, between the Lakers, the Galaxy, the Houston Dynamo and the teams in Europe, we have won 12, 13 championships. But the one that matters, in my opinion, is the Kings, because I think it speaks to our credibility and it speaks to our ability. So, from a resources standpoint, I have never once had Phil (Anschutz) tell me, `No.’ I have never, never told Dean, `No.’ We spent a fair amount of money at the deadline, upgrading the team with (Fredrik) Modin and (Jeff) Halpern. You look at the trade we did during the summer, with Ryan (Smyth), and Phil was very supportive. I will tell you that Dean had another deal in the works in the summer, and it was a pretty substantial deal and it was a straight pickup of a salary, and Mr. Anschutz and I both green-lit it for Dean. We have never, ever turned Dean down. To Dean’s credit, he’s never come to us with a deal that we said, `That doesn’t make any sense at all.’
“We are very committed to development from within. We absolutely are convinced that’s how you win Stanley Cups, but as we have shown with Ryan Smyth, and as we have shown with Modin and Halpern, we are very committed to giving this team the necessary tools and the environment to continue to succeed. We, as an organization, are going to have some decisions to make between now and July 1, and we’re going to have to see who we lose and how that affects us, and we’re going to have to see who’s ready to take a step up within the system. We will sit down with Dean and Hex and Terry and evaluate it. I have to get the lectures on the `boxes’ too. The fans aren’t the only ones that have to listen to the `box’ lecture. I get it often, but he is right. He is correct and, quite frankly, he is amazing with his eye toward development, and the chart and the system. He has been pretty vocal, and we hear him loud and clear, that we still have a few pieces to fill in here. We will address that when the season ends, but there has never been once, ever, since Dean started here, that we have told him, `No.’’’
Question: What is the plan for ticket prices next year? Going up, same or going down?
LEIWEKE: “That’s a good, fair question. Let me make a general statement there, because I probably should have done this up front. I’m very, very loyal, appreciative and understanding of what we have put the fans through. I know there is a sense of some frustration that it’s been eight years since we’ve been to the playoffs. Duly noted and, by the way, duly deserved. We had to change stream about five years ago. We knew, with the new collective-bargaining agreement, we were going to have to do things differently here, and we knew that the one thing we had not been phenomenal at, quite frankly, is the development from within. So we went out and got Dean, and we charted a course, at that point, about developing from within, knowing that there would be a day and time that the next challenge would be keeping them all.
“Now we are upon that next challenge, which is, `How do we keep them all?’ So we’ve been pretty good with our ticket prices, partly because we didn’t deserve a raise, and I was pretty out front about that, telling our fans, `I don’t think we have earned a raise here.’ I think we’ve earned it this year, and we’re going to need it. This is going to be one of the largest losses we’ve had. I’m not complaining and I’m not going to talk about it anymore, but it’s the reality that we’re no longer a low-level team when it comes to payroll. We’re above the medium, and we’re going to have to stay above the medium to keep this nucleus together. So the next great challenge for Dean and Luc, and us, is, how do we balance the rebuilding we are doing with our base — and trying to create trust between us and our fans now, and get back to that level that we used to be at — and, at the same time, understand the economics of trying to keep this nucleus together. We’ve already raised prices. Our season-ticket holders are already well-briefed on where we’re going. It was not a dramatic raise. [Michael Altieri, the Kings’ vice president of communications, clarified that it was a four-percent raise, with a renewal deadline of March 22, and that any time after that, the increase went up to six percent. Altieri said the Kings were at a 92-percent renewal rate.]
“I think the important thing for us is to always understand when we have and have not earned a raise, and this year I think the team has earned it, and we need it. The second piece is, we still, even with this increase, are in the bottom third of the league in average ticket price. We’re going to have to work on that, because that is an issue for us now. We are, I think, 23rd in the league now in gate. We need to do better than that, long term, but a lot of that is filling Staples Center up every night, and a lot of that is getting the average ticket price up. With respect to our fans, we know that it’s going to take us a while to get to where they have complete faith, not only in our ability to build a good team but, probably more importantly now, keep a good team. The funny thing is, two years ago we didn’t do much in the offseason, in the eyes of some of the media and the fans, but we spent more money than we’ve ever spent, because we tied guys up, long term, like Kopi [Anze Kopitar]. We’re not afraid of spending money here, and we know we’re going to have to make some very aggressive commitments this offseason, because we have some young kids we’re going to have a chance to tie up. Dean knows he has the green light to do that.’’
Question: I’d be really interested in hearing how Leiweke’s role with the team has evolved over the years. I’ve heard rumors that he was much more involved during the Taylor years and not so much now. Also, how much of a focus does the owner (Anschutz) actually have on the Kings in comparison to all his other holdings?
LEIWEKE: “Again, good question. From my standpoint, and involvement, Dean and I talk every week. Sometimes, at the more critical moments, we’ll talk every day. I never told Dave Taylor who to draft and I’ve never told Dean Lombardi who to draft. That’s not our place. We hire good people and let them try to do their jobs. I will admit that there was a frustration with our team many years ago, with our inability to be at the highest levels. When we brought Dean in, one, a lot of other people were chasing him. We did our homework, and we were pretty aggressive in looking at the candidates and talking to people in the league that are friends of mine, that I trust. When we sat down with Dean, we hired him at the end of the first meeting, because we knew that was our guy. We gave him a mission, we gave him a vision of what we wanted to do and we gave him the environment in which to succeed, and then we got out of his way. We do not hen-peck Dean. I do not try to pretend like we know more than he does. We don’t, and we know that. We are aggressive in giving him the necessary resources to surround himself with very good people, like Ron Hextall. I would put our staff against any other staff in the NHL. When you look at the depth of our organization, from an experience standpoint in particular, when you look at a guy like Jack Ferreira, who is assisting Dean and Hex, and you look at some of the other talent that has been put together here, we have a really good group of guys over there thinking this through. The last thing we’re going to do is get in their way and try to interfere with the process.
“Now, that said, we approve budgets, we approve trades, we approve long contracts. I am involved with Dean, actively, as it gets to July 1, on decisions that we need to make. Dean will inform us as to where he’s headed with his philosophy at the draft. I’ve never attended a draft. That’s not our place. We hire good people. We have 11 teams. I don’t tell (the Galaxy’s) Bruce Arena how to go run his soccer team, we don’t tell Dean how to run his hockey team and we certainly don’t tell Dr. (Jerry) Buss how to run the basketball team. We try to hire good people and let them do their jobs. The thing that surprises me the most of all, and that we have done a very poor job with our fans on – and I’ll take the blame for this – is that they tend to believe that Phil is a complete absentee, unconcerned or unemotional owner of the Kings. I’m a season-ticket holder. I think I’m one of the five largest season-ticket holders. I spend a lot of money and buy seats, because I want to have the ability to understand and be a part of this fan base. I believe in this team. I am very passionate about the Kings. If I’m in town, I’m there. If I’m on the road, I try to watch. I will be at the away games during the playoffs. I love this team. Phil doesn’t live here, so we’re in a unique situation. It is a corporation that owns this team. It is AEG, and Phil is the chairman of AEG. Phil has never missed a Frozen Fury, ever. He goes to every one. If he’s in town here, he goes to the Kings games. If he’s not here, then he’s probably watching. He’s very involved and very excited about what we’ve accomplished here. We are blessed. If you look at the last 15 years of the National Hockey League, we’ve never missed a payroll, never had an unpaid bill. We’ve never lacked for resources. We’ve never been in a situation where we couldn’t improve the locker rooms. We have one of the best, if not the best, training centers in the National Hockey League. We have always had everything we need from Phil. He bought the team out of bankruptcy. The last two owners before us went into bankruptcy. We have never, since the point that Mr. Anschutz took over here, we have never had one issue with resources here. We have one of the finest arenas in the league, one of the best training centers in the league. We’re top five in the league in management teams under Dean. We spend just about as much as any other team in the league, and he has the green light to keep this nucleus tied up, long term. Phil does care about the Kings.
“I will admit, I’m probably the crazier one here. I’m very passionate about our hockey team, and I love our hockey team, but this is a unique situation because we are a corporation. Is Phil going to go in the locker room and give the guys a pep talk before every game? No, that’s not his style. Is he going to go do media interviews? Mr. Anschutz chooses to lead a quiet, private life, and I admire that. I happen to think it’s refreshing to find an owner that doesn’t see this as his own personal play toy, doesn’t feel like he has to get involved to be the coach, and isn’t thinking that he is the story. That’s the way we try to run the franchise, but don’t see that as a lack of commitment. It’s not. It’s the way we choose to try to run our companies.’’
Question: Your title has shifted a bit over the years. Can you explain what your duties as “team governor’’ are?
LEIWEKE: “I’m on the executive committee of the NHL. It’s a dual role. I’m the governor, day to day, for the Kings, but also a member of the executive committee on behalf of the rest of the board of governors. We get involved on league issues like Phoenix, like the collective-bargaining agreement, like our television and distribution deals, and approving new owners coming into the league. I spend a fair amount of time with Gary (Bettman) and the other members of the executive committee, at his request. We try to help on plotting out a vision on where this sport needs to go. Despite what everyone thinks, Gary and I are not always on the same page. I think it’s been made clear in the past that I’m a big fan of ESPN. It’s not that I don’t like Versus. I do like Versus, and I think they’ve done a good job, but I also think that ESPN is a resource that we haven’t been able to tap into. Gary and I have different opinions. I am not in lockstep with him on every decision he makes. He occasionally gets mad at me because I occasionally get mad at the league. I think, honestly, there have been a couple games this year that I didn’t think were the best games I’ve ever seen the refs call, and Gary heard about it. He has a difference of opinion. I try to protect the best interests of the Kings. We have not always been the strongest voice in the NHL. We have not always been the most stable franchise in the NHL, and yet we are in one of the most important markets in the NHL.
“It’s critical for this team to get to a point where we take the league and the sport to the next level, by capturing the imagination of this marketplace. It also means we’re going to have an important voice on the issues of the league, whether it be Gary, the distribution deals, the future of some of the teams, and owners that we let into the league and their ability to hang in there with us. So I’d say, in a nutshell, I spend more of my time now working on league issues but, at the same time, that’s not to say that I’m not there when Dean needs me. Dean calls me more than I call him, which is the way it should be. When Dean needs something, we’re on it.’’
Question: Obviously you’re aware of criticism, whether it’s toward you or AEG or both. What are your impressions of it? Is some of it valid? Is some of it not? And has it changed anything you have done over the years?
LEIWEKE: “Anyone who says that criticism doesn’t affect them, they’re pretty cold-hearted. I’m aware of the criticism. Yes, like everyone else, I’d rather be in a situation where our fans, in their entirety, believe we’ve done a good job here. Some of the criticism is deserved. We’ve gone eight years without being in the playoffs, and I’ll take responsibility for that, but what they need to understand is, we didn’t just get here without a mission and a focus on behalf of ownership. Dean’s mission statement was not created by Dean. It was given to Dean, and he will tell you that. We told Dean, `This is what we want to do with this team. We want to build from within.’ We told Dean that we understood that we were going to have to be bad before we were good. That’s the only way to get good draft picks. There’s no way you get Drew Doughty by drafting 15th. That was a mission statement created by ownership.
“Where we’re at today is because of an effort on behalf of all of us. It’s Dean, it’s Luc, it’s their teams, it’s those guys in that locker room – who I am really proud of, because that’s what really matters – and it is ownership. We’ve done everything humanly possibly to create the right environment for our players. If you ask the players, if you sit down with Ryan Smyth, who has been in the league longer than just about anybody in that locker room, and you ask Ryan about the way we treat our players here, compared to other places he’s been – and it’s not that he’s been treated poorly – what he will tell you is, we are involved. We do care for those guys. We do create a good environment for them. That’s where I think the criticism is very unfair. Dean thinks we’re as passionate and committed as any ownership group in the NHL. So does Gary Bettman. He knows how committed we are to this team. So do our players. We obviously have an issue with what I believe is a portion of our fans.
“I walk the concourse and I talk to the fans. Occasionally I hear someone say, `Sell the team,’ and I want to go back to them and say, `Let’s just logically think this through.’ Who had the wherewithal to buy this team out of bankruptcy and pay everybody dollar for dollar? Who had the wherewithal to build this new arena, build a training center, provide charter flights and everything else we give this team? Who has the wherewithal to ultimately allow us to keep this nucleus together and sign Kopitar to the kind of contract we did? We’ve never missed a beat here, ever. If you’re frustrated with us because it took us eight years to get here, it’s well deserved and I’ll take the hit for that, but I believe we also should acknowledge that we’re here now. Let’s enjoy the ride and celebrate this together. If you think we’re bad owners, you just don’t understand the commitment that we’ve made to this team, and we need to do a better job of communicating that to our fans, because that’s unfair. We have been very good owners at financially supporting this team. As we go forward, we’re going to get tested here, to keep this young nucleus together. We will be up to that challenge. What we’re not going to do is, we’re not going to sell these pieces off to have the lowest payroll in the league.
“Amazingly, in almost every other corner of this league, we’re seen as one of the most stable, committed ownership groups in all of the NHL. We need to regain the trust of the fans, and we’re going to try to do that. That’s why you and I are talking today. It’s not that we’re trying to take the spotlight away from the guys, because that’s where it belongs and I’m very committed to those guys in the locker room. That said, I want the fans to understand that we’ve always been committed; we’ve just made some mistakes on how we built our system and how we chose our players. When we brought Dean in, I think we corrected that. You look at the choices we’ve made, and part of it has come from Dean and the right system, and part of it has come from having high draft picks, but let’s also give a little credit to Dave (Taylor) here. Quick and Brown and Kopitar were Dave Taylor’s picks. He did a pretty good job there, and that was a tough decision for us. I have an enormous amount of respect for Dave Taylor, but I also think we had to make that change.’’
Question: Do you have any insight into why the Canadian games are not televised, and have you ever thought about, either on your own or in partnership with other teams, starting your own network?
LEIWEKE: “Yes, I’m aware about the Canadian games. Yes, I’m aware of why those decisions are made and, yes, I disagree with those decisions. We have a contract with Fox that obligates them to carry 65 games, but it gives them to ability to carry more. We have to prove to them that it’s worth covering all of our games. That means us and the fans, by the way, so I’m right there with them on this one. This year, we’ve proved to them that there is a demand out there for the Kings. Our ratings have doubled and tripled in some cases. We were doing 1.5 ratings at times during this season, very impressive. I think we all need to put pressure on Fox, and let them know that there are a lot of Kings fans out there and that they should be covering every game. They certainly should not make a decision on what games to cover based on how difficult it may be to produce a game out of a certain place. We’ve had this conversation with (Fox general manager) Steve Simpson.
“All of the Fox guys are good friends of ours, and it’s hard. I’ve even gone to Randy Freer, who runs all of the regional networks for Fox, and if you ask Randy and Steve, they’ll tell you that I’m a maniac with them and that I’m constantly saying, `You should be broadcasting every game.’ They’ve asked us to readjust some things within our world, and we’re in the middle of doing that right now. We’re going to get that done. When we do that, it’s going to put more pressure on them to pick up a lot more games next year. This team deserves to be covered every night, in my opinion. We all need to convince Fox of that. The fans need to let them know that, and we are. The second part of that is, yes, we have looked at a regional sports network, and Fox is aware of this. Our contract with them runs out in 2014-15. We own a piece of the Lakers. We’ve had conversations with the Lakers, and Fox is aware of that.
“For right now, let’s admit that we’ve had years in which our ratings weren’t so good, and so we still have to prove ourselves to Fox. I think we took a huge step this year, and we’re going to take an even bigger step next year. The thing that all of us need to be excited about here is that this is the youngest core nucleus in the NHL, and we have the wherewithal and – to Dean and Jeff (Solomon’s) credit – we have the cap space to keep them. When you look at Fox, what I keep on telling them is, `Guys, this is a team that’s only going to get better now, barring any unforeseen injuries, and this is a team whose fan base is going to grow, and you’re going to be forced to have to cover us now because there are so many people out there, so many of us who like this team,’ just as you’ve proven on the website. A lot of people thought we were crazy to do what we did with you, but the fact is, we have a top-five website in the NHL today. That’s not just because you guys are good, and you’re very good, but it’s also because there’s that much demand over this team. So we’re going to keep the pressure on Fox, and we’re going to make them understand that this is a team that’s going to get better, and our audience is going to grow. That’s going to force them, I believe, to have to expand their coverage.’’
Question: As with a lot of multi-use arenas, the ice at Staples Center seems to deteriorate to the point is can hamper play (bouncing pucks/inability to make sharp passes). Are there any plans to upgrade or improve the ice situation?
LEIWEKE: “Staples is a busy arena and occasionally I remind people, including some of our hockey guys, that we live in a desert climate. This is not the easiest place in the world to make perfect ice. We have 250 events a year. As the general manager of our building likes to remind me, we have the best ice surface in the NHL for a two-team NBA building. Of course, we’re the only two-team NBA building, so I guess that makes sense. (laughs) But Luc is on me, on scheduling and when we play our games and what our fans want. Dean is on me, occasionally, for the ice, and I know that that’s an area that we’re going to continue to try to work on.
“Let me expand that. The other thing I’d like to suggest, because there are quite a few people who have brought up issues with the quality of food and the variety of food and the branding of the food, what I’d like to do is go through you. I want to pick out 12 fans that we do a focus group with, and I’m going to bring in the GM of the building and I’m going to bring in Levy, which does the catering in the building, and I want them to tell us what we’re doing well and what we’re not doing well, similar to what you’ve done here. After we’re done with this run – I hope it’s long – I would like you to be a conduit for them, and for them to come back to this group and give them questions and issues that they can address to us, and we’ll fix them. We brought in Nate n’ Al. We brought in Camacho’s. We brought in McDonalds. We’re trying to brand, but clearly I hear them. I think we have some quality issues with the building, and I want to address those. I think some of our fans think we have the best arena in the NHL. I want all of our fans to feel that way, so whether it’s pricing, branding, quality of food, quality of the ice surface, the customer experience of the building, I want you to organize a focus group. I will bring all of our people from the building and Levy in, and we’re going to hash this out and figure out how we can do a better job serving the fans, because they deserve it. They’re right, we’re not the cheapest, and I understand that. We’re going to get better there. They have my commitment on that.’’
Question: There’s a few of these I’d like to get to…
LEIWEKE: “Well, there’s one I’d like to get to, if you don’t mind.’’
Question: OK, go for it…
LEIWEKE: “Well, someone took a shot at Luc (Robitaille) in there, and I want to clear the air here. Luc Robitaille was not put in here as a token, and that’s an insult. Luc Robitaille’s ability to be a good president of business operations is not about his education or intelligence, and shame on them for questioning that. Luc Robitaille is here, one, because he’s the most passionate guy I know about this organization. Two, he loves this city and he loves this organization. Three, yes, we knew that there would be a learning curve with Luc, and we surrounded him with pretty capable executives. Anybody who doubts, at the end of the day, that Luc Robitaille is a great president of this organization, shame on them. I will fight and defend Luc all day long. He was a good choice. He’s doing a good job and I resent anyone taking a shot at Luc.
“Take shots at me all you want. I get it. That comes with the job, but it is unfair to question us putting Luc in a position because he’s a token. Luc is earning his keep here. He’s the best salesman I know. I go out on calls with him, and I’m telling you right now, we lack zero for leadership from Luc Robitaille. That was never a token, nor will I ever second-guess the decision to give him the ability to learn, and he’s good at it. I’m going to defend Luc. I think he’s doing a good job, and he was never brought in here as a token or to try to deceive the fans. Luc was brought in because I do believe that hockey should be run by hockey people, including the business ops. Luc knows more about hockey than we do, and so him running that organization on a day-to-day basis…we’ll teach him accounting and financing, and we’ll teach him about the economics of the hockey world. In fact, it’s funny. One of the first things he said, after he had been here for a couple months, was, `You know, during all that time in the collective-bargaining agreement, I thought you were maybe stretching the truth. Now I come in here and look at the numbers, and this is bad. You weren’t lying.’ (laughs) Luc has done a good job and I’m proud of him. I want to clear that up, because people have a right to have an opinion, and I get that, but as you say from time to time, we can be civilized here. People can communicate both ways, but we can be respectful here, and taking a shot at Luc was uncalled for.’’
Question: What do you make of what’s going on with the players’ association?
LEIWEKE: “I don’t. I saw that one of the questions was about what we’ve done well and what we haven’t done well. I will tell you that, during the lockout, I obviously was one of the…I guess they called me a `hawk,’ and I guess I regret, ultimately, people developing an impression that I was anti-players or anti-union. I’m not, but I was anti-system, because it didn’t work. I think, during the next round, I’ll keep my thoughts to Gary, and we’re not going to destroy the faith or the trust between us and the fans by maybe being outspoken. Whatever opinions we have on the current unrest within the union, I’ll keep them to myself.’’
Question: I would like to get Leiweke’s comments on the partial sale of the team [to the ownership group of the Boston Celtics] that fell through and what, if any, discussion there has been since that point about selling part of the team.
LEIWEKE: “That was someone who approached us. We weren’t looking, nor are we now. I’m not sure if that was ever really that serious. We’re blessed. We don’t need to sell any of the team. We don’t need help on financing the team. Phil doesn’t, at this point, need money, so we’re not out actively looking to sell the team. We get calls…I wouldn’t say all the time, but I’ve had a half-dozen calls in the last few months. We’re willing to talk to people, but what we’re not interested in is bringing in someone who wants to own a small piece and be a superfan. That doesn’t work well within partnerships. Phil’s wife would kill him if he sold the team. Nancy would probably hang him out to dry, because she’s the biggest fan out there. Phil is proud of the team. We’re obviously doing well. You look at the future, and you get pretty excited because of the kids coming. Now, that said, if we found the right partner, would we sell a piece of the team? Yeah, but again, I hear people say, `Would AEG ever sell the team?’ I tend to disagree with them, out of respect.
“I think AEG has been a pretty good owner, because we have given this organization more stability than just about any team in the National Hockey League. We’re considered the core here. If you go to Gary and ask him, out of the last 10-15 years, which franchises have you not had to worry about, we’re one of the few. We see issues in Nashville and Atlanta and Florida and Tampa Bay and Phoenix, and there’s been ownership changes in places like Minnesota, and we’ve never had to go through any of that. As long as Phil is the owner, the one thing fans can be assured of is that we will never have financial difficulties here, ever. You may fault us for our road over these past eight years, and I’ll take that. It’s deserved. We probably made some mistakes early on, but over the last four or five years, I’d say that this ownership group here has hired good people, given them the resources to succeed and gotten out of their way, and we’ve had great success. To me, that’s the kind of ownership group you want. We’re not going to sell to anyone who disrupts us from our philosophy on where we want to go, toward winning a Stanley Cup here. If anyone does come in, it won’t be because we need to bring anyone on. We don’t need money and we don’t need people to cover losses. Unfortunately, we can cover the losses. That said, if it helped and it made us a better organization and if it was a local owner, someone who cared about hockey, we would never say no. We would always entertain that conversation. We’re just currently not in a position where there is a need to have that conversation.’’
Question: With the Winter Classic, do you think we’ll ever see it in L.A.? Do you want to go for it?
LEIWEKE: “Luc wants to bring it here. The good thing is, we have earned the respect of the league. The draft is coming here. You would never think that L.A. would be a good place for the draft, but I had breakfast this morning with the Edmonton owners, and their fans are really excited about coming to L.A. for the draft. We’d like to get the All-Star Game back, and we’re bidding on future All-Star Games. We’d really like to have the Winter Classic here. Amazingly, in the history of the Ducks and the Kings, we just can’t seem to get this playoff thing correct. We’ve never been able to get there at the same time. I happen to think they have a pretty good team. I think the Olympics might have hurt some of their veterans. I happen to think they’re going to be competitive here, and I happen to think that we’re going to be competitive here.
“If we were going to do a Winter Classic, it would be great if those were the two teams and we did it at a point when we were locked in a battle for the Western Conference championship. Luc is right. We can put one on here and do well. I think our fans deserve it. I’m proud of our fans. They’re the most loyal base that I’ve seen in the NHL, and I think we want to do things to continue to build this as a hockey market. Are we going to continue to work with the league in the future? Yes. Gary knows we’d like to have one here. John Collins, who is the head of the NHL Properties, knows we want to have one here. We just have to find the right time. I think you would assume it’s going to be us and the Ducks out here, and if that’s the case, it would be great if we could have a rivalry in which we’re both hitting at the same time.’’
Question: Do you know where you’d do it?
LEIWEKE: “I think part of that is going to involve what’s going on with an NFL stadium in the marketplace, and I think that’s going to get sorted through here in the next 365 days. Some would say the Rose Bowl and some would say the Coliseum. We’ve talked to both. They’re aware that we’re sniffing on it, but I also have to throw out the possibility that maybe what we want to do is like what Jerry Jones has done with Cowboy Stadium. It would be fantastic to do that as part of the first year of a new NFL stadium. I think, whether it be Dodger Stadium, Carson, City of Industry or here, we’re going to see some progress on a football team and a football stadium in the near future.’’
Question: Anything else you’d like to add?
LEIWEKE: “One question, and I’ll answer it, was about what we have done well and what we have not done well. What has made me happiest and what has made me unhappy? What makes me unhappy is the day that we get knocked out of the playoffs this year. I will be a very unhappy guy. I’m having the best time I’ve had in a long time at this company because of the Kings right now. I’m really proud of these guys. I like these guys a lot. This is a good team to be around. Terry is fantastic. He is the most even-keel coach I’ve ever seen, God bless him. Dean is interesting. There’s never a dull moment with him. I call him the `crazy professor’ sometimes. He’s intense, he’s focused and he’s hard sometimes. He says the same about me, and he’s right. We’re both intense guys, but I’ve had a good time and they’ve done a good job. I love Ron Hextall. We’re blessed to have the organization that we have here, and most of all, I’m really happy for our fans, because Lord knows they deserve it. We are humbled that they hung in there with us, and appreciate of that. We do not take that for granted, but I’m really happy for them.
“I remember those first couple of years, with Adam Deadmarsh and that Detroit series, and it was magic. We need to be like that on a consistent basis. I want our team right there with the Lakers, taking a shot at winning championships. That’s what I care about. The good news is, we’re in the middle of enjoying what I think is probably the best time we’ve had since we owned the team. The bad news is, there will come a time when you have to deal with the fact that we’re going through a pretty competitive conference here during the playoffs. I want us to win, and I struggle when we lose. I struggle when we lose. What we’ve done well and what we haven’t… Bringing Dean here was a good decision, and I’m proud that there were other teams after him. He was being romanced by a couple other teams, aggressively, and we got in there quickly, quietly and with focus and intent, and got him here and he has built a good organization. I’m really pleased with our young kids, the quality of those guys. We’ve done that the right way.
“Character has been a trademark of Mr. Anschutz. It’s been a trademark of Dean, and when you look at Drew Doughty and Kopi and Brownie and Bernier and Quick, we’ve got character, so we’ve done this the right way. To me, that’s what we’ve done the best. The worst is clearly building a loyalty between us and our fans, and we’re going to try to do better at that going forward here. I apologize if they have sensed a lack of commitment, and we’re going to try to do a better job of earning their trust going forward.’’
Thanks Rich,
No wonder why him and Lombardi get along.
I can see a 10 minute conversation between those two taking a week to complete.
Awesome interview!
Rich, I was wondering if there is a practice scheduled today at Toyota Sports Center? Thanks!
Great Interview Rich! Thanks for doing this for us. In case Mr. Leiweke reads more comments a way going forward with the fans is not only to do these types of things while the going’s good but to also do them while the going’s bad and not just when we make the playoffs and public sentiment is high. It would certainly give us the impression that you’re more committed.
Wow… fantastic feedback from upstairs.
Kudos to Leiweke for having Luc’s back and talking up Lombardi and crew and the players. Loyalty is always nice to see in sports and in business.
The best part of this interview has to be the info regarding FSW. It made sense and cleared a few things up for me.
If there is a flaw in Leiweke’s defense of Anschutz’s perceived lack of pride for this hockey club it’s that we, the fans, don’t ever see or hear from him. At all. He may be a great guy or great humanitarian or whatever, but to us he’s not there. And that perception is our reality. To add to this, if he does make an appearance now or when the Kings make the finals it will appear that he is a fair weather owner. A bit of a catch-22 that could have been prevented with a little hi-bob’s-your-uncle handshake to fans over the years.
Overall, good words. Pointed and well thought out. Thanks for doing this Rich and Tim.
great job Rich!
I love that he stuck up for “lucky” and i have to say it sounds like he is willing to take one on the chops for his mistakes.
I appauld him for understanding where we are coming from as fans.
thanks again Mr. Hammond – he also put you to work with the focus group thing…what a boss
Thanks for the interview Rich, I bet most teams don’t get this kind of coverage about the higher ups.
What are the chances you can let me know what hotel the Kings are at in my town so I can wish them luck and show them there’s a few Purple and Silver jerseys in town!
@Jester’s Dead,
Too late for that now, things wont be going badly for a loooonng time with this team.
@VanKingsFan, Can i believe the rumours of Holiday Inn on Broadway???
Thanks Rich for the great interview. The Governor said that “we are on the verge of competing for the Stanley Cup every year.” I wish you would have asked him what he thought was missing to get us past the “verge.”
This was, far and away, the best interview you’ve done all year Rich! (And others have set the bar pretty high)
I get tired of hearing that we were not developing talent in the Taylor era. If you look at the guys that Dave brought into the org you will find a ton of guys still playing. Every time I watch a game there’s an ex-King in the game. When Dean took over he had most his picks in place. Dean was allowed to lose badly for 3 years. Maybe Dean presented the Cloutier/Crawford scheme and Tim bought in. It was a very good plan for acquisition of talent. Taylor had no such option but found players and contended until injuries forced the futility of missed playoffs. Taylor got worked in the area of goaltending Cech and Storr (the kid tapped as future number one) and Garron just weren’t as bad as Dan. His pick Jonathon Quick sure doesn’t seem to point to a lack of future preparation. I really dislike this constant selling of the future by rewriting the past. Dean Lombardi has done a good job at raising the overall talent level at the expense of 3 of the worst seasons in franchise history. The glee at the prospect pools upside is mitigated in my mind by the forced hothouse growth imposed by losing.
Bottom line – Dean was allowed to lose. Tim, your take is disingenuous, on this subject at least.
@VanKingsFan,
Perhaps, but I think he missed an oppurtunity. Our perception of him and AEG would be better right now if he didn’t appear to be “fair weather” governor
Great interview! I was so glad to see the positive points about Luc and Dave Taylor, I still think Taylor was the fall guy for AEG’s effort to make the playoffs every year to make the Kings profitable. Finally they got it by deciding to bite the bullet for a couple of years to do a complete rebuild and make this team a perpetual winner with a young core of players, not a bunch of free agents thrown together every year.
I will state it again, are you listening Kings management: Lock up this kid Hammond, long term!
What a great rookie season he has had with the Kings.
His blog has gotten even better since moving over to the mother ship.
@Irish Pat, No offense, but why do you or any fan need to see him? Hear from him?
So long as he pays for everything, do you really care? Honestly?
Rich great detail..!!! that is why you are the best, when it comes to covering the Kings.
Every fan that is going to the game 3 needs to read this before hand for a major kick in the A$$ and pump you up. SCREAM YOUR GUTS OUT
Thanks Rich!
That was one of the THE best interviews on this site ever! Please thank Mr. Leiweke for giving us his time. And you Rich for everything you have done for us fans.
@mrbrett7, Actually, I respect that he is a private person and not a “look at me, look at me” blowhard who interferes with the GM’s decisions, but I’m sure he can balance his private nature with a public word or two as to why he owns an NHL franchise. I don’t think any business can succeed long term without commitment and passion trickling down from the top. I used to be a Clippers fan when I was a kid and I stopped caring many years ago because I am convinced that they will never win a championship with Donald Sterling as their owner. He signs everyone’s paycheck in that organization. Ask any current Clipper fan or employee how much Sterling cares. It matters.
I’m not saying Anschutz is equal to Sterling but over the years has there been a red flag or two? Yup.
Off topic but still cool. I go to hockeyfights alot and here are the Top to fights of the year
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Marathons-and-mayhem-Top-10-NHL-fights-of-2009-;_ylt=AmQqWQGITL4An.v7TyweL9Z7vLYF?urn=nhl,233857
i love what kane does to Cook, i think its the best of the year.
I’m surprised at how much effort he put into reinforcing that AEG is a corporation committed to owning sports teams. I know that they are but as a corporation the sports teams are not where they derive their profits, or at least I don’t think that’s where its coming from considering the losses we keep hearing about. I wish he could be able to give us a more comprehensive AEG view and where the Kings fit in it. He mentions they were the first but in reality priorities change, and profits drive alot.
@Irish Pat,
I liked the FSW stuff too. I also liked that it sounded like they were going to hold the Lakers against FSW to get more Kings games on.
Nothing like having leverage.
@UglyinLA,
I think the point is that he is trusting DL to know what is missing and fill in the holes. IMO to answer that question would be to step on DL’s toes.
Why would anyone take a shot at Luc? He is the face of the franchise, everybody loves him and he always seems so kind-hearted and genuine. Bringing him in was one of the best moves the owners have made.
Great read!! Thanks for putting this together. Mr. Leiweke does makes me feel good about this team. and that’s a good think of course.
My thanks to Rich for putting this together and to Tim for devoting the time and effort to answer a lot of the questions put forth in detail.
I found it very interesting the Tim took the time to read all the question in the comment section and not just answer the questions Rich picked out.
Now if he would let us know what his Posting ID on the Blog is!
Great interview again. Thanks Rich for doing all you do.
Years ago, I dealt with being pulled out of almost every game I attended because I was ‘Too Loud’. Never cussing or disrespectful, just normal heckling the goalie and such (Section 106). I have kids man, I keep it clean, but i do have a very loud voice. A good friend gave me the direct line to Tim’s office, so I called and left a message, complaining that I was sick of missing game time because someone thinks we’re at the opera or something. You’d think nothing would happen.
Well, Chris McGowan (Current CMO) was told to contact me and invite me to the Season ticket holders meeting to address the issue to him publicly so he could answer it. Not only did I go, but did address Tim at that meeting. His answer was not only apologetic, but supportive. He said he understands the diversity in LA and that not everyone who comes to games gets ‘Heckling’, but he agreed with me that it can be ‘An Advantage’. I believed he mentioned that in NY at MSG, if you don’t heckle, you’re heckled. Tim actually publically encouraged goaltender heckling as part of the game. The aura of the event. One of the reasons you love hockey. He also said he’d consider creating a ‘T.J.Simers’ section in the top corner of the building for those who would rather enjoy the opera type atmosphere. (I still have yet to see it….but the thought was nice).
I have honestly never criticized Tim or AEG, even before this moment, simply because I fully remember the pain of going through 2 owners and constantly being 2nd fiddle to the Lakers. Tim and AEG both have stopped that, even through 8 long and lean years. I can’t thank them both enough for that and, quite frankly, get pissed when people criticize what we currently have. I usually chalk it up to people who were not here during previous ownership runs, but let’s face it, when you look at the numbers and you understand business, you cannot help but feel completely lucky that we still have a freakin’ team here. We could have EASILY lost this franchise. Fans forget. It’s sad. This one happens to remember. Tim’s right, we ARE blessed. Tim is a good man who loves this team. He took a concerned fan and put him in a position to voice his displeasure without even knowing what to expect. One helluva show of trust if you ask me. THEN he not only answered my question, he apologized for what I went through as a fan and VALIDATED my displeasure publicly. Not many in his position would do that. I have tons of respect for Mr. Leiweke because he earned it.
Speaking of earning respect, Whoever made that comment about Luc being a token just doesn’t understand the concept behind his hiring. You can’t teach passion folks. Luc came from obscurity to become the greatest Left Wing in the history of the NHL. That doesn’t happen just because. When you have that kind of work ethic, it can be translated to ANYTHING and almost guarantee success. If I was Tim, I would have made the same move, simply because Luc’s work ethic and passion speak for themselves. Besides teh obvious token elements, he still has to do the job and Luc’s character almost guarantees success. He’s proving that now. The Kings have been VERY well marketed this year. I see them everywhere. He pretty much pawns himself out wherever possible to help that exposure. His commitment to this franchise is second to none. Anyone who cannot see what he has done on the business side to expose this team to the public and expand that exposure is either jealous or just bitter for whatever reason. That reason doesn’t matter as I truly believe it is a small minority of thought.
The only beef I could have with Tim now is this quote: “What makes me unhappy is the day that we get knocked out of the playoffs this year.” Tim, I hate to burst your bubble, but WE’RE NOT GETTING KNOCKED OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS THIS YEAR! Jeez…..c’mon MAN!
BTW, I’d love to be in that focus group. I’d give Tim & Dean a run for their money on lectures. ;-)
Thanks Tim & Rich for such a honest interview. Refreshing. Awesome.
Good stuff, really enjoyed that!
In case no one has suggested it yet, any hope of getting an Anschutz interview at some point? Offseason maybe?
A really great read, Rich. Thanks!
I appreciate TL’s openess, but part of me wonders what should make me believe these answers are true compared to some of the “lip service” he gave us in the past?
I like the fact that he was taking responsibility for some of the failures of past years under AEG, yet was he ever accountable to the point that his job was on the line?
Awesome interview! Thanks Rich and Tim Leiweke for taking the time to do it.
Great Interview. I have a lot of respect for this organization for getting out and taking their lumps. (and for expecting class from the fans) I also think the Kings are slowly reaching a point where they can stop apologizing and enjoy and enforce this growth. There is always a vocal few who are going to complain – that’s what they do and they are still around… Product on the ice will overcome all of this. Acting like winners, putting winners out on the ice, and attracting solid employees ALL aspects of the business will continue to build this teams fan base and goodwill. Now if only you could convince Simers….. You’ll really be in business.
Thanks to Rich and Mr. Leiweke for the interview and Thanks for some playoff hockey! Let win some games!!!!!
@KJCHIP30, Ditto. Would love to cheer them off to Vancouver.
Rich, thank you very much again for your great reporting……..We as KINGS fans have never had this…..
Good answers on the food issues with the arena, I would be happy to give my opinions as a season ticket holder….
Can you believe playoff hockey for us starts tomorrow????
Wow, I’m impressed on every level. Superb job Rich! Also, you’ve gotta tip your cap to Tim. I for one think he’s Learned a heck of a lot over the last years, and to me it’s reflected in his answers. Nothing he didn’t touch upon.
@Cynic
Very well said. I caught that answer also and was thinking the same thing.
@Cynic,
Great take as always Cynic. I wasn’t always pleased with Tim but I like the stability that AEG has brought out. I think the problem I had was that Tim was the mouthpiece early on instead of the hockey management…at least that’s how it came across.
@anonandonanon,
I disagree on your take between DL and Taylor.
Taylor was also allowed to lose for a long time. He lasted a long time with no success whatsoever. We haven’t been successful since the Gretzky days.
Taylor put a mediocre product on the ice almost every year of his regime. Injuries played a part in that, but injuries are no excuse whether it be Taylor or Lombardi. There were times when it was really embarrassing some of the talent that was put on the ice. They were more AHL than NHL.
Tell me at what point during the Taylor regime did you ever think we were heading on the right track towards prosperity?
DL came in with a vision of how to succeed. Ownership allowed him to follow thru with it and look what’s been accomplished? I don’t care if it took losing to get to this point, We’re here now! It’s the long term vision that Lombardi has put forth that differentiates him from Taylor.
If you want to blame ownership that’s fine. Unfortunately, we really don’t know what ownership dictated to Taylor during the lean years. Perhaps he was told he couldn’t build from within. We don’t know for sure. The only thing we do know is we are finally successful.
Thank you DL
@ike,
All I can saw is – WOW!
It’s great to be a Kings fan now.
Rich, as a former employee of the Kings, a life-long fan of the Kings and hockey, and a vocal critic of Leiweke, I truly appreciate what you have done here. You did not shy away from the tough questions and I know I speak for many when I say “thank you.” I also commend Mr. Leiweke for answering the questions honestly and with respect to the fans. I appreciate that he acknowledges what many of us have endured over the years – off the ice – and that he shares (and in some cases leads) the commitment to this team, its future, and the organization. Mr. Leiweke, I forgive you and join you in supporting this team now and in the future.
Great interview Rich
I came away with a new found respect for Mr.Leiweke.
He seems to be passionate about the franchise and as a fan, you can’t ask for more.
I live in NY and see what Jim Dolan has done to the Knicks and the Rangers. Be thankful Kings fans.
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we’re going to blow the server up again. YES!!! reminds me of the game Kings beat NJ at the last second.
I’m shocked at the fact people take shots at Luc and his ability as President. I’d think he’d be the last Kings orginization member to take that type of criticism.
Nice interview.
WOW…… even longer than DL. Put them in a room together, and you’ve got gold!
I commend Leiweke for coming out and taking this full interview. He takes a lot of heat from the fans because he’s not in the public eye as much as they’d like. But consider all the teams he manages, as well as some European clubs. He has to pay attention to ALL of them, and that takes a huge effort.
Good to hear him say that the Kings’ success is the one that matters most. That says a lot, and hopefully shows a sign that upper management is committed to improving this team with the perfect combination of experienced veterans (like Handzus and Smyth), premier players (like signing Kovalchuk or Marleau), and youth. That’s how you win, and they realize that.
@Cynic, Post of the year!
You are totally right, many fans don’t know or remember what it was like with past ownership.
Sure, McNall was passionate about the Kings and we loved him at the time but we later found out that it was all smoke and mirrors, a wobbly financial base which set up the downfall post Gretzky.
I was even a fan during the end of the Jack Kent Cooke years, ask Bob Miller how wonderful that was…
Anyway Cynic, heckle the hell out of Luongo please!!!
@anonandonanon,
This is where I feel the difference lies with Taylor and Lombardi. Taylor had a team that was making noise, but at the time there really wasn’t much youth in the system doing the same thing. Yes, he gave us Brown, Kopi, and Quick. But there were quite a few Jaroslav Bednar’s in those years as well. When the injuries hit to guys like Allison and Deadmarsh (two guys brought from the outside to lead), there were no kids in the system who could step up and get it done. There just wasn’t enough in the pipeline to get it done, and no you do not need to lose every year to have a pipeline. Look at Detroit and hat they’ve built without a top 10 pick in the last 15 years. Taylor just couldn’t fill the pipeline, so a change was made. And when that change is made is when the decision comes, ok, now we go gorund up, bottom to top. I’d bet that if Lombardi hadn’t shown that he could draft well, and build he’d be long gone already.
Great article! I really appreciate seeing the owners point of view on the team. I look forward to the next 10 plus years with this team. Thanks Rich.
Can you say server overload?
@Irish Pat, I’ve read about Anschutz and he apparently has always been low-key. A kind of guy you wouldnt be able to tell that he’s a billionare standing next to him. I guess his low-key approach comes as if he doesnt care. You could call him the Alexander Frolov of owners.
(disclaimer: Fro is my favorite player, and that was not an insult towards him. most fans think he doesn’t care because he shows no emotion. i happen to think he should be awarded a life-time contract similar to that of bob miller)
@mrbrett7,
I agree 110%
I prefer an owner who stays out of the way and lets the people he hired who are better qualified do the work.
Tim,
I hope you will read this (and if he’s not, Rich, please pass it along).
Your efforts to explain your motives and intentions to the fans are commendable, but you don’t have to keep explaining and apologizing to them / us.
Though they claim they do, some fans simply don’t understand the financial drivers involved in running a business; especially one in sports or entertainment.
And their criticism of Mr. Anschutz is completely unfounded.
Some fans actually believe that AEG are content with a half-assed team that barely competes on a nightly basis, never challenges for a playoff spot, and will never contend for the Cup. All while spending $50MM+ a year in salary and operating expenses without – at least – breaking even.
Any individual of sound mind would conclude that if you could simply improve your team enough to get into the playoffs and – with planning, effort and a bit of luck – actually progress a round or two, while turning over $51MM annually thus producing a profit.
This in turn generates more fan interest and in turn higher attendance, and in turn greater merchandise sales, and in turn higher TV ratings, and in turn greater ad revenues, and with added profits allows you to spend more on free agents or sign existing RFA’s to longer contracts, and on and on…
This is sound business practice. This is what you guys have been working at. And this is what you’ve recently been able to achieve since bringing in Dean, Jack, Ron, Jamie, Luc, etc.
As a fan, I too was frustrated during the post Gretzky years and through the mis-steps of Dave’s tenure, but I never gave up on the club and have watched or attended nearly every game for – probably – the last 20 years!
And while it was frustrating to watch our neighbors to the south win the cup, I’ve never once begrudged Mr. Anschutz, you or any other member of the AEG / LA Kings family.
So please accept this memo with the most sincere gratitude from us fans that you must rarely hear from.
And please pass along our heart felt congratulations to the Anschutz family and every member of the AEG and LA Kings staff for achieving the first part of your collective goal of making the playoffs.
We’re finally on the right track so please do not deter…and please do not let those few small voices discourage you!
@AZ King,
When I read that I thought it was unusual. But then I realized he’s a realist. He knows what we have here. He’s shown us his hockey knowledge. Unfortunately he is probably right. We will get knocked out before the Stanley Cup.
Leiweke’s disappointment that fans here haven’t had a great attitude about ownership is a bit disingenuous. While all of us are very excited about the present and the future, the fact of the matter is that in the past we were forced to endure a crappy product for far too long. He can sugar coat that all he wants, but many season ticket holders like myself shelled out big bucks for years without a decent return on that investment (as measured by on ice play). We certainly appear to have gotten over the hump this year with some tremendous results, but I am sure many of us need to see sustained improvement, development and investment before the stains of the past are going to be completely washed away.
@Howe 9,
Yeah I’m sure that’s what he meant by it. I don’t see how anyone can honestly expect us to win the Cup this. Not saying it couldn’t happen, but the odds are not in our favor. It was just a funny comment to make. I was actually expecting someone to catch it first and troll about it.
I just wanted to say that I disagree with him about AEG being good owners… AEG have been FANTASTIC owners and probably the best thing to ever happen to this franchise.
Forget the “In Dean We Trust” t-shirts.
I want a “Crazy Professor” Dean Lombardi shirt lol.
Great interview. Wow.
Fans do need to be reminded that ownership cares. The Lakers have this issue now with Jerry Buss, reportedly playing cards while the team wins a title, sending Joey down to make that amazing acceptance speech… and it isn’t that anyone accuses Buss of not spending enough money on the Lakers. Anschutz doesn’t need to be Ted Leonsis, arguing with fans in the stands. If TL is Anschutz’s way of saying “I care,” OK, so be it, we should accept that.
Best and scariest aspect of this interview: best, that TL understands the league needs to be on ESPN / worst, that Bettman doesn’t get it.
And how can anyone be critical of Luc? That’s crazy.
Odd to hear people complain about the food. Anyone who complains should be forced to, ummm, travel to some other sports venues. Where else can one sip on gluten-free beer and eat edamame while watching the NHL?
Again, great job Rich, very informative.
@Kevin
Well said! Good breakdown. Agree.
@NM, Dan, AZ
Thanks! I think a lot of us feel that way, I just happen to have posted it first. Detroit went through a lot of crap to get where they are today. I have a feeling this is the beginning of our dynasty. I have no reason to be anything but happy.
It really is hard to believe OUR playoff hockey starts tomorrow! I’m so jacked!
If there’s ANY way to get an Insider Suite for the Cup finals Rich…….You know people. I’m SO there.
Thanks guys…good stuff.
Tim is right, the pressure is on AEG from here on out to make sure we stay the course and keep this team in the hunt for a SC and to never go back to those lowly years.
Looking forward to never looking back!
Onward and upward from here on out.
BEAT THEM NUCKS!!!
So ticket prices go up next year and the years after. Season ticket holders paid the way while watching over 3 bad years. We should get 3 good years before they raise our prices. Increase new season ticket holders more and long term season ticket holders less. There are a few ways to turn a team around and they picked the way that hurt us the most. I hope we are a playoff team for a long time. We (fans) deserve it more than the owner. We pay him with $ and he gives us entertainment. I think there is a lot of catching up to do
Two things I’d like to add. One, I was at the Kings-Avs game recently (where the kings blew the lead in the final minute and Dewey won the game with a slap shot in OT) and I personally saw Tim Leiweke cheering, getting on the refs, high-fiving the fans around him, and just really into the game. I don’t sit in the good seats very often so this was the first time I had actually seen Mr. Leiweke at a game, and I was impressed at his passion for the Kings.
Second, regarding Dave Taylor, I think his problem is that he had too many busts at the draft table. Yes he drafted Cammalleri, Frolov, Lubo, Kopitar, Brown, and Quick, but at the same time he also drafted Mathieu Biron (right in front of Simon Gagne no less), Jens Karlsson, Lauri Tukonen, and Denis Grebeshkov (ok but not great). To add insult to injury, Taylor drafted Brian Boyle and Jeff Tambellini in 2003 right ahead of Corey Perry. Say what you want about Perry but he’s a great player. Deano has said that you need to get 2 or 3 players in each draft, and Taylor had bad drafts in 1998, 1999, 2002 and 2004. 2001 was decent with Cammalleri and Huet, but 2003 should have been better. While yes Taylor wasn’t drafting as high as Deano was and Taylor definitely drafted some good players, I believe he could have done more with what he had.
Contrast this to Lombardi. We all know about Doughty and Bernier, but Trevor Lewis is looking to be a bust. The jury is still out on Thomas Hickey and Colten Teubert, though Deano could have had Tyler Myers instead of Teubert. Deano also drafted Simmer, Moller, and Brayden Schenn is looking pretty good at this point. My conclusion on Deano is that he definitely has had some hits and while a lot of his picks are still prospects, those prospects look very promising.
Tim,
I was very vocal critic about the route you guys chose at the very beginning.
Thank you for proving me wrong.
As a side note, I appreciate that the organization deserves a raise. However, you guys helped yourselves to a raise the season before last after you tied for worst record in the league. How bout you give us one winning year without a ticket price increase as a make good?
After that I’d be more than willing to give you guys a cost of living increase. See you at the games.
ALSO ONE MORE THING!
Tim/Rich,
Can I please be included on that consumer group to give feedback on the service at Staples?
Tim your biggest problem to address is throughput.
I spent an entire 2nd period waiting for a cinnamon pretzel. The old ladies are nice … but they need to step it up.
@nykingfan,
Taylor was allowed lose because he built the system. When AEG took over they had nothing. No farm, no infrastructure, no prospects, no scouts, etc. When DL came in, the system was built & needed a lot of tweaking. DL tweaked it to where it is today.
I like how TL completely avoided the question about being “hands on” in the DT era. We all knew he was. DL put mediocre talent on the ice because TL slammed the financial door. Injuries were a big part of it as well. Give DT a little credit.
I am tired of hearing how they brought the kings out of bankruptcy, built the arenas, blah, blah blah. We’ve heard that story many times. There comes a time when you have to make good on the promises made.
Good job Rich.
Good article.
About the food: Earlier in the season I went to a game. While at the consession stand (1st floor) ordered a hot dog and as the woman placed the food on the counter, a cockroach came from under the register. The worker just “shooed” it away. Needless to say, it was kind of gross, and I always avoided the hotdogs from that point on.
Also, I loved the addition of Smyth. He is always the last guy off the ice in pregame and is very fan-friendly.
If I were LieWeakly, I wouldn’t repeatedly harp on Modin and Halpern as elements of success–yet, at least.
If Nancy Anschutz is the biggest fan of the Kings does Uncle Phil not address her too? ; )
Thanks for the interview.
Refreshing. Awesome.
Didn’t know that the “better part” of the Anschutz couple is a vivid Kings supporter.
I’m glad that Tim and the AEG ownership doesn’t interfere with the on ice team management.
I was just commenting the other day on what a great job Luc has done compared to previous marketing.
Also, I don’t get all the hate for Tim. He’s a passionate fan just like the rest of us. And we should feel sorry for him because he has to deal with Bettman.
And if you want to bring in a burger joint, I think I speak for all of us that we would rather have In-N-Out or Tommy’s than McDonald’s. Personally, I would love all the visiting fans to go home wishing that they could have another In-N-Out Burger.
I have had the pleasure of speaking with Tim several times. I feel alot of the TL bashing is unfair. I can tell by some of the comments above, that attitude still exists. He admitted they made mistakes early on, what more can you ask of him.
@mrbrett7, Agree, I could care less if an owner is showing his face. I used to get so sick of seeing so much of Bruce McNall and his fat kid who was more interested feeding his face than watching the games back at the Forum. With Anschutz it certainly sounds like he is a fan, and I actually respect him more that he doesn’t want to take any attention away from the team. He will also deserve every right to be there to congratulate the players once they win their first Stanley Cup.
There’s so much I wanna say but in a nutshell……Cool,gives me hope that a Stanley Cup is in our future and not to far ahead.Good job Rich
great stuff. thanks guys. go kings! p.s. love how TL got on bettmans butt for some bad calls by the refs :) GO KINGS GO!
Interesting read and a couple points…
I’d like to know who called out Luc in the “Ask Leiweke” thread. The Governor pretty much took that person to the woodshed. Which is good to see, also surprised that Tim Leiweke took the time to peruse the questions beforehand.
He’s also right the owner Uncle Phil doesn’t live in LA. He lives here in Colorado, near Denver. I’ve seen him at some Avalanche vs Kings games at Pepsi Center. So he does attend some games. If you guys ever met him, He is very shy and nice person, and he definitely doesn’t seek the public spotlight. Just the way he is. Sounds like he leaves the public appearances to Tim Leiweke since he goes to A LOT of games. Also great to hear that Uncle Phil’s wife is a big fan of the team, so that reiterates the point that this team likely isn’t going to be sold in the near future. So that’s good.
Regarding the food, for those of you who are lucky to be part of it: They need to have certain designated areas which are sell service, ie you enter an area, grab your own dogs, drinks, popcorn, etc. and head to the register. This would save tons of time waiting. Those people with special needs or requests can go to the other “traditional” counters.
I meant SELF service.
My favorite part of the interview was when Tim mentioned he has to sit through the “boxes” discussions also. Classic!
I for one am glad that Uncle Phil isn’t one of those sit in the front of the luxury box with a bunch of hookers screaming “hey look at me!!!” type owners. In fact, when I’ve seen him at games he’s often watching from ice level in the corner with TL and dressed pretty low-key. Would you really rather have a Jerry Jones or Mark Cuban acting like a jackass at every game?
Great interview. I rarely give a thought to ownership, and AEG is not different for me in that respect. That being said, I liked what I heard from Leiweke and think that we seem to have the right people running things. GO KINGS!
Oh man. I want in on the focus group. I barf up constructive criticism like it is my job. And, it is ALWAYS constructive.
Man, that would be fun.
I’d bring in a huge notebook full of complaints, fixes, and expanded ideas.
haha.
Also, this interview is amazing. Rich, he seems like such an awesome person to sit down with. Thanks for this. Great choice of questions too!
PRMan,
I have a new burger joint for the discussion:
The Habbit.
Holy crap was that a good burger!
They’re definitely a new player.
@BernierNextRoy
i think this may answer your questions
” Pauline says:
April 10, 2010 at 12:18 AM
Mr. Leiweke, years ago you thought the return of a former player would show the fans that AEG wants to win, so you brought back Rob Blake. Later you believed that another former star joining the Kings was best, and we watched an out of shape Jeremy Roenick embarrass himself and the organization. More recently you rewarded former player Luc Robitaille with a top job in the business department even though his education level suggests this job was given on name alone as yet another way to pacify an ever-demanding fan base. Will AEG ever realize that Kings’ fans want an ownership group that is more committed to the Crown on the front of the jersey and not the name on the back?”
http://www.lakingsnetwork.com/hammond/?p=5353#comment-93238
Speaking of the “top-five web site,” one of the cheapest things to enhance an organization is interns.
As far as I’m concerned, Rich Hammond does the most credible job I’ve seen of covering any team on any blog.
However, moderating a web site is not his thing, and he needs interns in this organization to take that job and to improve the cruddy message system to make it more BBS-style. It needs to be a place where the moderation is more realistic and measured, and it needs to be a place where new topics can be started–certainly separate from the blog makes sense–that anyone can state their opinions on, without worrying about offending “sensitive” ears. Being a public “face of the Kings,” Rich has to walk a tightrope, while allowing (what I think is often completely undue and harsh) criticism of the Kings, and keeping infighting to a minimum.
I think low-profile interns and/or employees could do a much better job with these administrative portions of the job he apparently now fills.
RICH…
great interview…thanks…!
i interviewed ron kovic once and was only able to ask 4 questions in about 30 minutes…people who like to talk do for a reason…you got many meaty questions at him and stayed focused on yr angle – which was where ever tim wanted to take it…once again, thanks for making it happen and including our input…
TIM LEIWEKE…
thank you, sir, for taking the time and explaining yr point of views on the all-things kings…it’s hard to fully get one’s inflection upon reading sans audio…but i do feel that there’s no longer helplessness in yr words or tone and that yr determination towards fulfilling yr duties and goals is very palatable…for others who have not felt that you have a passion for our kings, i don’t know what will convince them at this point…
but the actions of us all – from the paying fan, to the person paying the bills – makes us what we are or how we are perceived…
at the risk of sounding somewhat existential, if you are not making us more aware of you, yr presence and the emotional attachment yrself and others like you have in the team, how are we to know…?
one of the best assets as leaders is the pulpit you preach from…and it’s not the size of it, but how many you reach…
we just need to hear it more often and for it to be present and coupled with every kings high and low…
if there is no further reason to question ownership’s commitment towards the shared “vision” of the players, coaches and yrself, then everyone would be home already, making their summer plans and resorting to old criticisms instead of embracing the playoffs now with anticipation and promise…
the fact is we all need to question ourselves to keep us going and hungry until we can all live inside this vision we share…the fruition of all shared visions is decided upon by the individuals ability involved to be interpreting as one, but seeing for all…
all successful organizations have an insatiable appetite for being the best in their sport…we should be no different…so all the feelings and frustrations you have, we should have…it keeps the competitive torch alive and maintains this dialogue…
ultimately, the team on the ice reflects the team upstairs…
and if everybody is doing their jobs well, then the conversations will continue, because we will have new subjects to talk about and new visions to share…
CYNIC…:
awesome post…!
KEVIN…:
i agree with you, as well…!
Excellent work. Thanks Rich.
Agree with many – great interview.
I have only 2 suggestions for TL, all of them off-ice.
1 – I hate having Playoff tickets dangled in front of me with the demand that I renew my Season Seats by March 22…6 months before the first preseason game. Let’s go back to renew in June. I’ve had seats for 20 years and was told if I didn’t renew by March 22 my seats would be given to others. Poor salesmanship folks.
2 – In the lower level there are very few places to sit and eat your food. Tables & chairs have been reduced to make room for the Budweiser section on the East side. Give us a place to sit, eat and hang out before dropping the puck. And what happened to all the mobile beer stands? Despite sell-outs, they are few and far between. Bet they’ll be there for Playoffs.
And yes, excellent work, Rich!
Great interview Rich
Is not Leiweke so very nice I can even smell the roses
In-N-Out should be at Staples Center. It should also be at Dodger Stadium. In-N-Out epitomizes Southern California and it should be available when watching the Kings, Lakers, and Dodgers in person.
I know when I’m in town and can attend a game I skip eating there so I can head up to Sunset afterward and hit up either In-N-Out or Carney’s (depending on which one I had for lunch haha), so it would be that much better if I could just get it at the game.
I know the lines would be long but it would be an amazing addition to the Staples Center.
great interview, the “boxes” and the “crazy professor” made my day :)
LET THE GAMES BEGIN
GO KINGS GO (obviously)
Very insightful interview. I give Leiweke props for at least taking some fault for the last eight years of non-playoff hockey.
Mr. Hammond,
“whether it be Dodger Stadium, Carson, City of Industry or here”
Mr. Leiweke said “here” but where was the interview? Was it at Staples Center? I’m assuming it was at Staples Center but just making sure.
Thanks!
I re-read Pauline’s question, and she was more taking a shot at Leiweke for bringing in Blake when so much more was needed and then bringing in Roenick when so much more was needed. Her only comment about Luc was that he did not have the necessary business requirements that a job as head of a business dept. would demand, which is actually true. It is telling that Leiweke chose to ignore her comments about Blake and Roenick.
As for Luc, I am glad he is here but in reality, why is it unreasonable to question why someone hired as head of the business dept. has no business experience? Could this happen in the real world?
I applaud Leiweke for backing Luc, but he is really just throwing up a smoke screen in defending a fan favorite and not addressing at all the other comments.
Why did Leiweke name Bernier before Quick in guys that have “character”?
Just stiring the pot…
Rich, there were a ton of Bettman questions submitted. I wish you would have asked TL at least one of them. I think he sits on the Board of Governors and he is one of Bettman’s biggest supporters in a time when many folks in and out of hockey continue to question Bettman’s job performance. Considering where the NHL is today compared to where it used to rank among sports, and knowing how big of a backer TL was of the lockout that crippled the sport, I really think you let him off the hook on this one.
I used to think that this guy was nothing more then a corporate yes man, but after reading the interview Rich I gotta say this guy is a big fan of the team. You could tell by the answers he was giving you that this guy Dean the tools to run this thing so it is a consisent organization like Detroit and New Jersey have been. I think he is learning alot about building a hockey team like we all are since Dean was hired. Also glad he hasnt handcuffed Dean from doing his job..thanx Rich..NICE JOB !
I want to know why Fox Sports blacks out their channels for out of area fans. I’m a diehard Kings fan who moved to Colorado in the past year and I pay my satellite provider (Dish) for FS Prime Ticket and FS West, yet the Kings are always blacked out no matter the opponent.
Why?
RICH,
Damn fine interview.
It is why your blog is the finest in the league. You respond to the fans, and so it seems does Tim Leiweke.
As for commenting on what TL said, esentially, it’s just business sense. When you make decisions or choices in business, sometimes it doesn’t work and sometimes you get it right. But you have to be unafraid to make the decision in the first place, then place/delegate it in someone’s hands to follow through. TL may have made mistakes on whom he delegated jobs to in the past, but he certainly found the right one now in DL (apparently, but the Cup ain’t sitting in Staples just yet).
You will never see a good leader without good assistants. Tim looks to have finally solved that with the team led by DL, TM, Hextall, Luc, etc. The hardest part of being a good leader is getting out of the way of your people and let them do their jobs, without being afraid or jealous of them being promoted over you or out from under you or meddling.
Thank you again, RICH. You continue to give us fans a forum to express our passion for the Kings.
I cannot wait for game 3 at Staples. I’ll be in section 107, row 10, screaming and yelling my head off, causing my girlfriend to cringe at my passion for the Kings. It’s been way too long…….
GO KINGS GO!!!
I was very impressed with how passionate the guy is for the team. I think a knock on having a corporation as an owner is that there isn’t one person there who is fighting for the team. Through this interview it seems clear that Leiweke is.
While some of his comments were somewhat scripted and ambiguous, which is something I am sure he has to do, I really respected what he had to say.
Most importantly, I couldn’t agree more with him on the ESPN issue. Until the NHL is back on ESPN, their national exposure is going to be limited. ESPN does a great job of marketing the sports it covers and I am sure that once the NHL listens to Leiweke and everyone else who knows anything about television, they will decide to take a little less money in the near future for the exposure and the long term riches.
I can’t believe that Leiweke is surprised that fans feel the way they do about Phil Anschutz. Are we wrong to think he is an absentee owner? Well, I have never seen him attend a game in 14 years. Are we wrong to think he is an unconcerned owner? Well, his sparse media guide entry would say otherwise. Are we wrong to think he is an unemotional owner? Well, he does not ever address the media so it is difficult to say that he is emotionally involved. I don’t expect Leiweke to criticize his boss, but to act surprised that the fans feel this way after the way Anschutz has completely ignored us from Day One is a bit juvenile.
Rich,
Great interview with Tim and I’d like to thank Tim for being frank and honest with our fan base. It has been years of frustration over a lack of production by very talented Kings teams and I am very proud of this particular group of players and staff.
By the way, if your looking for volunteers for the food branding survey, count me in. I’ve been to games in Atlanta, Dallas, Washington and Anaheim and would like to take part in those discussions. Staples is way behind the power curve on its concession stands and its choices of vendors.
Great job again Rich and thanks Tim for being so frank with us – we really appreciate it!
Why does Leieweke keep referencing the past 8 years? Hasn’t AEG owned the team since the mid ’90s? I think 15 years is more realistic than 8 years, no? They have a longer track record of futility than he seems to want to admit.
Great stuff, Rich! Thanks!
I noticed that Leiweke took offense at the comment about Luc but said nothing about the other part of the comment that mentioned his error in bringing in Blake and Roenick….
Too bad ESPN is already affiliated with ABC. A Fox/ESPN affiliation could definitely help the NHL.
Tim,
Thank you for a great interview and answering many of the toughest questions.
I am a King’s fan since 69/70 and have seen it all. The following is my take.
I can forgive you for the last several years of losing because you used it to stock up draft picks and set up a player development plan that is obviously working.
The number one thing that has turned me around this year as a King’s fan? Rick Hammond’s blog. I’m a 54 year family man that doesn’t get taken easily to hype, but Rich is the real deal. Don’t you dare let him go.
Regarding Luc. Just point this blog’s fans to whoever is calling Luc a token and we’ll take care of that problem for you. Although I’m not sure anyone that ignorant is worth the effort. Where did that come from? Reeks of the LA Times though.
Tim, you need to edit one line of your interview and shame on you for saying it:
I am going to be very unhappy “WHEN” the King’s get knocked out of the playoffs. That should be “IF” we get knocked out of the playoffs. :)
AEG bought the Kings for one reason and that was to develop the downtown land that Anschutz already owned so they could profit from it. Leiweke makes it sound as if Anschutz bought the team (out of bankruptcy at a reduced price, by the way) out of the goodness of his heart. Let’s keep it real here, folks. AEG is a business and Leiweke is their head salesman. He earns his salary when you buy what he is pushing. Just because he does one interview and answers a handful of questions, you’re now willing to overlook 15 years of deception?
DAYUM, that was intense Rich!
I owe you a burger for that read! (In N Out or Tommys?)
Well, sounds like they’re gonna pony up for guys like Dougnuts and pretty much whoever or whatever we need to get The Cup.
Even more positive is hearing they want to win as many Cups as possible, not just “settle” for one.
It all looks terrific on paper, I just hope they stand behind their words.
I think that TL HAS told DL no at least once. This situation MUST have come up at least ONCE:
DL: Do you think that Staples ad with the WOW THAT IS A LOW PRICE guy is doing any favors for our arena?
TL: No.
BTW, great interview.
Dear missus Anschutz, please keep an eye on your hubby for us, just in case you see anything that may be considered not in the best interest to us Kings fans. (Lets just keep this between ourselves)
GO KINGS GO.
Yes,I have seen TL at the games..in the stands and not in his box. 2 things..We season ticket holders pay for our tickets up front and then learn lower bowl seats are going for half price in order to fill seats and have a sellout. Is that fair? Secondly, the food at s
The food is abominible. I will gladly help in trying to get a better selection. What happened to the salad bar at the Forum?
Awesome interview. Thanks Rich!
Thanks Rich and Thanks Tim. This interview reinforces what I already believe about the Kings. That this orginization is going to be one of the best. I think many fans do not realize just how well we are run now. From scouts all the way up to Luc, TM and DL. We will be watch and respected going forward. Let’s enjoy this ride.
On a side note, I don’t care if the owner is there or even talks about the team. I like the fact that his emotions will not destroy this team. All I need is what TL gave us. The owner and his wife are fans. So stay at home and take care of business because we need brilliance in the future with this kind of youthful talent.
Thanks again Rich and also everyone in the organization.
I BELIEVE!!!!!
Good interview. As I read it, I thought: “This guy sure sounds like he’s gone to the Ted Leonsis School of Ownership.” That could bode well for the Kings. At the same time, I sensed a bit out-of-touchness with reality. The Winter Classic? The Ducks and Kings? That is far, far, FAR off. It’s sort of like some Caps fans who were on Leonsis over the All Star game back at the start of the Caps’ rebuild. Leonsis was honest: that sort of thing shouldn’t be the focus. Build a winner, be honest w/yourself and fans. Don’t go for stuff that doesn’t matter. ANY energy LA puts toward stuff like the Winter Classic is energy that should go to building a winning organization. Get it right in LA first, then go for All Star games and Winter Classics.
WOW!!!
Never much of a reader but your work has changed that,thank you Mr.Hammond
and thank you la kings for a great season
Wow Rich. Thank you thank you thank you. And thank you to Leiweke for being so forthright and complete in his answers. You really get a sense of his passion just reading this, I can imagine his passion in person. It’s nice to hear how committed the owners are at making this not only a good team now, but for years to come.
The only thing that concerns me is wether or not DL will be re-signed. It kind of seemed like there is friction between TL and DL and TL was sort of taking credit for giving Dean the mandate of developing from within. I really believe it was Dean who came in and told these guys how the team should be built. when Tim said Dean “is interesting” it makes me nervous. DL is the brains of the operation here on the hockey side. And no Im not drinking coolaid and I don’t know DL personally. If you read that WSJ article you will notice the sentiment this is a beach town and has a reputation of making players lazy and there is no expectation of winning. That is a result of 40 years of not much winning. This is one of the key things DL
rightly pointed out from the beginning was a huge problem. I dont care how many great players we get here, if we dont fix that we will never win consistently here. I am positive that AEG would never have come to that conclusion on its own, no offense to them they are business men not hockey people. DL has made a HUGE cultural impact on this franchise. If we loose DL we are back to having no clue how to fix what is REALLY wrong here. Unless we get Ken Holland, Lou lamereillo or something, we will end up with a mediocre GM and the franchise will return to its old ways. DL needs at least 5 more years.
TIM,
RE-SIGN DEAN NOW!!!!!!!
Interesting how many times Leiweke said “good” about Lombardi and his crew as opposed to “fantastic” for Murray. Clearly, it’s a different dynamic entirely between Boss and GM but “good” is not great. Thankfully, DL’s locked in for one more year. There were murmurs out of TB that the new owner, who’s from Boston, wanted to bring Dean in to run the whole shebang.
as a season ticket holder, i will sacrifice myself and volunteer to be on the 12 man food committee. lol
@Randy Holt’s brother,
I hadnt heard that but its funny I had a bad feeling after reading that TBL threw everybody out because I know how DL likes a lot of their players. If AEG looses DL they are idiots. This is why the damn Ducks won the cup before us, better ownership/front office. The GM and the owner have to be on the exact same page and good GMs there are very few of.
Great interview Rich! Thanks! I’m glad to hear that our ownership does care about our franchise, and hear TL speak a few good words once in a while about the team. I didn’t realize that he talks to Dean on a consistent basis. I hope too that the Winter Classic comes to LA. Let’s go Kings!!
@Aaron:
As a relocated Kings fan (CO as well) you need the NHL Center Ice package, just having Fox channels will not cut it, as I found out my first year as well.
What’s really pissing me off is Versus horrible coverage of the games. Last night, if you did not have the Center Ice package you were forced to watch the games (in progress) meaning you caught the Hawks/Preds game in 2nd period, and Sharks/Avs in the 2nd as well.
Anyway, next season, get the Center Ice package.
As for the interview, great read. I actually know a few employees of Anshutz (sp) and they all say the same things, very quiet and reserved, and personally I like that.
Can’t wait for the game tonight and glad to have made the trip to LA to see it in person!
Great interview! Every critical question applicable to the long-term success of a hockey team was asked!!
I have been a very harsh critic of AEG!!! Now, if he is telling the truth (and only time will tell) then we will win a cup here, hopefully within the next 5 years max. If he’s telling the truth, then there is NO REASON, none at all, why the Kings cannot be as successful an organization such as Detroit has been these last 20 years or so.
However, there are many inconsistencies and answers which are too general (which he admits) to be of much help in determining just how much Phil and Tim know about hockey and more importantly how to run a hockey organization, which obviously goes a long way in determining who they will keep or let go if the team does not progress year after year as he expects it to.
If they do not progress quickly (and by quickly I’m talking like 5 years), they will be making changes at the top (GM, etc…) or they are not doing what needs to be done.
I put it this way because it’s taken much longer than I feel it should have to figure out that changes needed to be made (in re: Taylor, etc…). It appears that it is only recently that they decided to rebuild via the draft and attempt to lock up valuable players to long-term contracts. This is most likely because when they came in they had no idea about how to build a hockey team which is understandable with their interests spread so vastly that it makes common sense.
There are of course exceptions to what I’ve stated here, but 15 years is more than enough time to turn a team into a consistent winner and playoff contender.
Of course, if they (AEG) were not knowledgeable about hockey when they took over, it would explain why it has taken so long and I believe he admits that above (if not specifically, in a roundabout manner).
To state the “inconsistencies and generalizations” I feel were obvious would take several pages. So, I will just finish by stating again, that if he’s telling the truth, we’ll at least go deep into the playoffs, be in the finals, and hopefully win a CUP OR TWO in the near future.
Again…GREAT INTERVIEW!