New Staples Center President LEE ZEIDMAN is the "biggest of the big shots, running one of the world's busiest arenas," but he also is the "most unlikely and endearing of the big shots," according to a profile by Bill Plaschke of the L.A. TIMES. Zeidman "never rolled down his sleeves as he worked his way up from the bowling lanes to the fast lanes." He "ran a college gym in Santa Barbara where he swept the floors, he ran the Forum, where he cleaned the toilets, then he became Staples Center's first employee on Feb. 12, 1998." NHL Kings President of Business Operations LUC ROBITAILLE said, "He is the kind of guy that you want to get a beer with. Then the next day, you call him, ask him something, and he gets it done." Zeidman added, "I have the greatest job ever, I work with the best men and women ever. I cannot believe my luck." AEG President & CEO DAN BECKERMAN: "What everyone loves about Lee, that no matter what his title or responsibilities, he's the same guy. He endears himself to his staff by being down there in the trenches with them" (L.A. TIMES, 8/10). Zeidman also is profiled in this week's issue of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, where he says his personal insight is, "Tell the truth. In the end, the truth always wins" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 8/11 issue).
