AEG "seems to be on the rebound" because even though it "has taken a decidedly low profile in Southern California in recent months, the company has seen most of its worldwide operations surge," according to Roger Vincent of the L.A. TIMES. One of its "biggest new fronts is China, where the company operates arenas in Shanghai, Beijing and Dalian." AEG execs noted the company's "solid growth" and also "expressed relief that its high-stakes legal battle" with the family of late singer Michael Jackson "ended in October with a courtroom victory." AEG President & CEO Dan Beckerman and Chief Legal & Development Officer Ted Fikre recently "discussed company efforts to secure its position as a global sports and entertainment juggernaut." Beckerman: "We're really focusing on countries and cities where we have strong existing bases." Beckerman said the "overwhelming majority" of company profits come from the handful of arenas that AEG owns. The company's immediate plans "include an expansion in Las Vegas," as AEG "had been planning to develop an arena there with MGM Resorts International as early as 2006 but shelved the project as the economy tanked." Now, the 20,000-seat arena -- "about the same size as Staples Center -- is back on track, with construction to start May 1." AEG has not "thrown in the towel on its bid to bring NFL football" to downtown L.A. City Hall approvals to develop a stadium, secured by former AEG President & CEO Tim Leiweke, "don't expire until October." Fikre: "It remains one of our highest priorities, and we are continuing to work on moving it forward" (L.A. TIMES, 4/20).
