Hunter Joined Chivas USA Three Years Ago After Working For AEG

MLS Chivas USA announced yesterday that President & CEO SHAWN HUNTER is stepping down from his post after three years, though he will continue to advise the organization (Chivas USA). Hunter, a former AEG exec, said that 5 1/2 years of "commuting from his Denver home to Los Angeles had prodded his decision." Hunter: "At the end of the day, with young boys -- my sons are 11 and 9 -- it became, hey, life is short. I want to spend more quality time with my family. ... I'm missing a lot of events -- a lot of important events -- during the school year." He noted that he had been "thinking about departing since last summer and was asked by co-owner Antonio Cue to remain at his post until season's end." Hunter also will be "surrendering his stake within the ownership group." He did say that "he 'very well could be' involved in discussions about building a stadium in Southern California for Chivas USA," who have shared The Home Depot Center with the Galaxy since joining MLS in '05 (ESPNLA.com, 11/2).

Through AEG, Anschutz Controls 120 Venues

PHIL ANSCHUTZ is "one of the most secretive moguls in America," and these days "his chief theater of operations" is AEG, serving as Chair of the privately held company with an estimated revenue of $2B, according to Christopher Helman of FORBES. Through AEG, Anschutz "controls 120 entertainment venues around the world," and he "likes to fill his venues, controlling every end of the take." AEG has ownership in both the Lakers and NHL Kings, who play at company-owned Staples Center, and AEG's The Home Depot Center hosts the MLS Galaxy, another company-owned franchise. AEG has stakes in "seven other franchises worldwide." Outside of sports, AEG is "second to Live Nation in the $4.4-billion-a-year concert business," although it is "far more selective about the acts it underwrites, sticking with artists more likely to sell out tours." AEG President & CEO TIM LEIWEKE said that AEG "is making money" on the concert business, while Live Nation lost $80M on the business in the first half of '10. In addition, AEG aims to "double its venues in five years," and in partnership with RYAN SEACREST, "soon plans to launch a new music-and-lifestyle-themed TV network." Helman notes despite his company's success, Anschutz has an "allergic reaction to publicity." Those who know him "or have worked with him say Anschutz is a down-to-earth, hard-driving businessman with a fondness for chomping on little unlit cigars." Leiweke, who notes he has spoken with his boss "every day" for the past 15 years, said, "He has no ego. He is the anti-DONALD TRUMP." There have been "Anschutz sightings over the last few years." He has been "spotted in the stands" at Staples Center during Lakers games, and he has "run in marathons and ridden in bike races." He also "regularly jogs to his office in Denver, arriving at 6:30 a.m." But as "far as anyone can remember, he has given one press conference -- in 1988" (FORBES, 11/8 issue).

The Padres have allowed the contracts of Special Assistant to the GM BILL BRYK and Coordinator of Pro Scouting RYAN ISAAC "to expire so they can join" D'Backs Exec VP & GM KEVIN TOWERS in Arizona. Bryk and Isaac were "two of Towers' closest aides" when he served as Padres GM (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 11/2)….The WNBA Washington Mystics named TRUDI LACEY GM & coach, replacing former GM ANGELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON POST, 11/2).

EXECS: The Football Association (FA) appointed P&G Brand Manager ADRIAN WELLS as its new head of marketing, replacing SIMON FREEDMAN, who left the organization in August to join O2 (MARKETINGMAGAZINE.co.uk, 11/1)….Sportvision appointed FRANCIS GOVERS VP/Engineering and CHRISTINE ANDERSON Creative Dir (Sportvision)....Atlanta Hall Management Inc., the non-profit organization created to build and operate the new College Football HOF, named ISP Sports Regional Sales Dir BRAD OLECKI VP/Corporate Partnerships & Sales (National Football Foundation)….Richard Childress Racing named JONATHAN BAYLESS Manager of Communications. He will work with NASCAR driver CLINT BOWYER (RCR)....The Univ. of Virginia named Rockets Senior Dir of Ticket Services  ZEE FRENCH to the newly created position of Associate AD of Strategic Ticketing (UVA)….NC State named CARRIE DOYLE Associate AD for Compliance and CARRIE LEGER Associate AD for Academics & Student Services (NC State).

Do you have an executive announcement? If so, please send to editorial@sportsbusinessdaily.com.

In San Diego, Brent Schrotenboer reports JOHN MOORES' “high-stakes divorce case that led to the sale of the Padres could be headed back to a public trial.” San Diego Superior Court judge LORNA ALKSNE “has threatened to re-set a trail date" after Moores and his wife, BECKY, "failed to finalize a divorce settlement they told the judge they had reached in March.” Alksne has “set four court dates since” March and each time has been “forced to set a new date because the paperwork wasn’t final” (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 11/3).

IN COURT: NBA Kings co-Owner GEORGE MALOOF yesterday was charged with “five misdemeanors related to a drunken driving arrest Oct. 9.” Maloof was “cited for operating a vehicle under the influence, driving without a valid license, no proof of insurance, failing to properly make a left turn and speeding.” The arrest report states that Maloof was “driving 72 mph in a 45 mph zone and lost control of his vehicle on a turn” (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 11/3).

Unique Features Developing Biopic About Bart Scott

I’M GONNA BE ON TV: Unique Features is developing a biopic about Jets LB BART SCOTT, who “grew up amid poverty and violence in Detroit.” RICHARD REGEN will write the screenplay and GAY TALESE has been hired as a creative consultant (VARIETY.com, 11/2)….HBO Sports yesterday announced that is has begun production of “RUNNIN' REBELS OF UNLV,” a documentary about the school’s basketball program under former coach JERRY TARKANIAN. The film will “revisit the period from 1973 to 1992 and will debut in March on the eve of the 2011 NCAA tournament” (LAS VEGAS SUN, 11/3)….Bulls G DERRICK ROSE yesterday “didn’t show up to film an agreed cameo appearance” for CBS’ “THE GOOD WIFE.” Rose “refused to give the show’s producers an explanation for his no-show” (N.Y. POST, 11/3)….ABC’s “SKATING WITH THE STARS” debuts on Nov. 22 and will include former Olympic skier JONNY MOSELEY (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 11/3).

NAMES: Clippers TV analyst MICHAEL SMITH yesterday was "acquitted of felony grand theft charges" by an Orange County jury. The charges "were in connection with a failed development project" in Dana Point, Calif., in '08 (LATIMES.com, 11/2)....Former ESPN college football analyst MIKE GOTTFRIED Monday was given an award by the FBI for Team Focus, the "mentoring organization he founded with his wife" in '00 (AL.com, 11/1)....The Jets have retained Seyfarth Shaw attorney GARY GLASER "for representation in the unfolding scandal" over messages allegedly sent by Vikings QB BRETT FAVRE to former Jets employee JENN STERGER in '08 (AMLAWDAILY.com, 11/1).