This guy went to a hockey game, like, at LEAST once… no really. June 14 , 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings fan Mike Gomes waits for the start of the Los Angeles Kings victory celebration and parade near Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE
AEG, the sports entertainment giant that owns the Anaheim Ducks’ rival up the freeway, Los Angeles Kings (as well as Staples Center, a stake in the Lakers, the LA Galaxy, ECHL’s Ontario Reign, AHL’s Manchester Monarchs, and more) is up for sale.
According to a statement released by Cannon Y. Harvey, president of AEG’s current parent company Anschutz Company, it is believed to be the “appropriate time to transition AEG to a new qualified owner.”
It is impossible to say at this point how exactly this might impact the Ducks’ NHL neighbors. While we can speculate that ownership turmoil might be detrimental to the franchise, keep in mind that a change in ownership certainly didn’t hurt a different Southern California hockey club.
At this point it is unclear if AEG and the Anschutz Company already have a particular buyer in mind, and what their plans are for the cluster of teams and facilities that AEG currently owns. It’ll definitely be an interesting story to keep an eye on as we learn what this will mean for the Los Angeles Kings franchise.
Jer is ready for some more rivalry hockey. Follow him on Twitter @JerMeansWell.