TIM LEIWEKE has “built an event empire” as President & CEO of AEG, according to Alfred Lee of the L.A. BUSINESS JOURNAL, which named Leiweke its Business Person of the Year. AEG is the “largest owner of sports teams, the second largest concert promoter and among the largest venue operators in the world.” Leiweke’s “belief that large events cannot only make money for his company, but jump-start a new economic and civic ecosystem, has driven AEG’s development of Staples Center and the $2.5 billion L.A. Live complex.” The projects "have been credited for an economic renaissance downtown." L.A. businessman and philanthropist ELI BROAD said, “I can think of no one in the history of Los Angeles, certainly not in my lifetime, who’s done more for the city, development-wise.” Leiweke is currently “pushing to build a football stadium adjacent to L.A. Live and bring” the NFL back to L.A. Leiweke: “I do think we have a chance to be a place that people come to, whether it be for business, for sports, for entertainment or for fun, and to do a better job at hosting them than any other city in the world.” Lee writes, “Like all great salesmen, Leiweke doesn’t come off as one in person. Aside from the occasional one-liner, he doesn’t speak glibly nor does he often flash a toothy smile.” His admirers “remark on his seemingly endless reserve of enthusiasm, which along with his ability as a salesman is one of his most commented-on traits.” L.A. Mayor ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA said, “I call him a visionary, a force of nature. If he believes in something, he’s dogged in pursuit of making it a reality” (L.A. BUSINESS JOURNAL, 3/28 issue).
