BEIJING — For Tim Leiweke, president of the Los Angeles sports-marketing company AEG, the race for gold in China begins after the Olympics. It will start with selling the naming rights for Wukesong arena, site of the Olympic basketball games.
Leiweke says rights can fetch at least $100 million. AEG, which owns the Staples Center in Los Angeles, the Home Depot Center in adjacent Carson, Calif., and the Los Angeles Kings hockey franchise, is a partner with the NBA in operating and managing the 18,000-seat indoor stadium in west Beijing.
But Leiweke, 51, has much bigger plans. He wants to develop and run stadiums throughout China, filling the venues with sports, concerts and other high-profile events. In Beijing last week, he said AEG planned to spend at least $100 million in China over the next five years.
“Our highest priority is Asia,” Leiweke said.
AEG is owned by Denver financier Philip Anschutz.
