With the Staples Center set to open later this month,
Sunday's L.A. TIMES included a special section devoted to
the new arena, as Simers & Wharton wrote an extensive
feature detailing the "most complicated sports arena deal in
the country." Although both L.A. and arena developers "won
concessions" in the negotiations, the "truth is" L.A. Arena
Group co-Owner Philip Anschutz "surrendered." The details of
the arena deal still have "people buzzing." L.A. Coliseum
GM Pat Lynch calls it the "worst arena deal in the country"
for the developers. Staples Center President Tim Leiweke
said that NBA Commissioner David Stern "looks at this deal
and compares it to Cleveland and says you guys are idiots."
Leiweke: "It's not that we are idiots ... we have faith at
the end of that day that our vision, our ability to sell and
our ability to operate give us a strategic advantage to be
ultimately successful." Experts say that Anschutz will "not
only turn a profit from the arena, but will also strike it
rich on 30 acres of land acquired nearby to develop an
entertainment district" (L.A. TIMES, 10/10). Meanwhile, in
a sidebar, Bill Dwyre wrote on Anschutz's refusal to speak
to the media. Dwyre: "Those Anschutz does let into his world
are almost unanimous. This is a man with vision, integrity,
guts and loyalty" (L.A. TIMES, 10/10).
EARLY REVIEWS: In Long Beach, Doug Krikorian toured the
new arena and writes that "now, finally, L.A. has something
it can gloat about. It possesses the creme de la creme of
modern sports arenas" (PRESS-TELEGRAM, 10/12).
