Great Western Forum Sold To Baptist Church Group For $22.5M

Faithful Central Baptist Church (FCBC) of Inglewood, CA, signed a $22.5M deal to buy the 17,500-seat Great Western Forum, according to Margaret Ramirez of the L.A. TIMES, who reported that the purchase "marks the first time" a U.S. church "has bought such a large" sports and entertainment venue (L.A. TIMES, 12/30). Also in L.A., Jerry Hirsch noted that FCBC bought the arena from L.A. Arena Co., which is co-owned by the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG). L.A. Arena Co. will continue to serve as the exclusive booking agent for various events at the Forum, while AEG will market the facility. AEG President Tim Leiweke said that L.A. Arena Co. decided to sell to the church because of "the unique opportunity to do something that involved the community, [FCBC's] vision for the building and the support of the city." Hirsch wrote that the FCBC will use the arena for its Sunday worship services and use other days for sports and other events, including the ABA 2000 Stars (L.A. TIMES, 12/29).