Southern California’s Most Influential Executives in Sports.
Regional Players Whose Impact Shapes National Games
No. 2
David Hill
Chairman and Chief Executive
Fox Sports Television Group
The 57-year old Hill has come a long way from his coal- and steel-town roots in Newcastle, Australia. One thing, however, remains constant: mining.
From a fifth floor office with walls lined by 15 television screens, Hill is digging up ways to add revenue streams for Fox Sports Television now that satellite provider DirecTV has been added to the Fox Entertainment Group fold. News Corp. in December 2003 bought a controlling interest in DirecTV and brought it into the division that runs Fox Sports. “I know the power of satellite TV. There is interactivity that you can’t do on cable,” said Hill.
With satellite now an option, he is looking at adding replays of sporting events, viewer-selected camera angles or the ability to alter commentators or statistics desired. “You can have a Shaq Cam directed at him on or off the bench. It’s totally awesome,” he said.
More than a decade ago, Hill was among a small cadre of Fox executives who pushed to establish the sports television group at the Westside movie studio to take advantage of the area’s pool of directors, cameramen and writers.
From his Los Angeles post, Hill controls a huge direct and indirect employment base affecting production, programming and distribution in Southern California.
“It was the Hollywood pixie dust that we were able to spread,” said Hill of the sports television empire he has since built.
That includes the creation of Fox Sports Net, a group of 21 regional sports networks, the Speed Channel and Fuel Channel. Before that, Fox shook up the broadcasting status quo when it surprised incumbent CBS by snatching away broadcast rights to the National Conference of the National Football League. It also has contracts to air Major League Baseball and NASCAR.
A longtime employee of fellow Australian Rupert Murdoch chairman of Fox parent News Corp. Hill, a heavy smoker with a private smoking porch outside his office, helped launch Sky Television, Britain’s first satellite TV station. After Sky merged with British Sky Broadcasting in 1990, he took charge of BSkyB Sports Channel and created Sky Sports in April 1991.
On his tombstone, he wants to remembered for creating the “Fox Box,” which is the score box found in the upper left corner of the TV screen and since replicated by others. “You can’t watch a sporting event now without it,” he said.
Pat Maio
No. 3
Edward Roski Jr.
Part Owner
Los Angeles Kings, Lakers
A native Angeleno and one of the city’s richest men, Roski played football at USC and served in the Marine Corps before joining family-owned Majestic Realty in the 1960s (he now serves as chairman and chief executive). Built Majestic into largest commercial real estate developer in the county, with close to 42 million square feet of commercial space developed. A part owner of the Kings, the Staples Center and the Lakers, Roski has worked with Philip Anschutz and Casey Wasserman in efforts to bring an NFL team to Los Angeles. Pursuing additional real estate development near Staples Center. Involved in local educational and cultural organizations.
No. 4
Jerry Buss
Majority Owner
Los Angeles Lakers
The real estate mogul and championship poker player has the most valuable franchise in the NBA, with an estimated worth of $447 million according to Forbes magazine and one of the most lucrative sports brands globally. Purchased team in 1979, and has helped revitalize downtown since the move to the Staples Center in 1999. A player in labor negotiations, he also owns the WNBA’s Sparks. Has four kids, including Jeanie, who serves as executive vice president of business operations for the Lakers. Participates in charitable causes, including raising money for the Magic Johnson Foundation.
No. 5
Arturo “Arte” Moreno
Owner
Anaheim Angels
Former outdoor advertising mogul Moreno bought the Angels last year from Walt Disney Co. for $183 million and became an immediate hit with fans. Made numerous fan-friendly changes to Angels to increase market share and expand visibility from Orange County into Los Angeles, including blanketing L.A. buses and billboards with “A Team” ads. Plenty of room for team to grow in media revenues and ticket sales.
No. 6
Mike Garrett
Athletic Director
University of Southern California
A 1965 Heisman Trophy winner and USC alum, Garrett became school’s sixth athletic director in January 1993. Oversees 19 men’s and women’s teams and a $38 million budget. In 2000, hired Pete Carroll as head football coach, who helped return Trojans to their former glory (securing a share of the 2003 national title). USC was named to Sports Illustrated’s list of 10 most powerful collegiate programs. Garrett has undertaken the largest building program in the athletic department’s history, including a 3,000-seat track and field stadium and a 12,000-seat events center for basketball and volleyball.
No. 7
Frank and Jamie McCourt
Owners
Los Angeles Dodgers
Closed $430 million deal in February with News Corp.’s Fox Entertainment Group for the Los Angeles Dodgers after unsuccessful bids for the Boston Red Sox and Anaheim Angels. Frank McCourt earned wealth as head of McCourt Co., a Boston real estate development business. Jamie McCourt serves as president of the company and is active in operational decisions. Had a bumpy first month, with senior-level resignations causing tension. Both are very involved in the Boston community, through development as well as educational, civic and charitable organizations. Expected to develop similar involvement in Southern California as they move out here.
No. 8
Dan Guerrero
Athletic Director
University of California Los Angeles
The former Bruin baseball player arrived in 2002 with the intent of returning the football and men’s basketball teams to prominence. Not afraid to clean house, either: Fired football coach Bob Toledo in December 2002 and men’s basketball coach Steve Lavin four months later for the teams’ under-performance. Recently fired women’s basketball coach Chris Gobrecht. Now comes the wait to see a payback on those changes. Served on the NCAA Baseball Committee during the 2002-03 year. Prior to UCLA, held same post at UC Irvine, as well as Cal State Dominguez Hills, which he led to national prominence.
No. 9
Anita DeFrantz
President
Amateur Athletic Foundation
As an athlete, DeFrantz saw her dreams for an Olympic gold medal shattered when the U.S. boycotted the 1980 Moscow Games. Her protest of President Jimmy Carter’s decision and an ultimately unsuccessful lawsuit brought her instant credibility as an advocate for amateur athletes.
“I made it clear I thought it was the athletes’ rights to decide whether they would compete in Moscow or not,” said DeFrantz, who had captained the U.S. women’s eight-oar shell to a bronze medal in the 1976 Games. “I felt as though justice had failed me.”
She landed a position on the organizing committee of the 1984 Games in Los Angeles. When the Amateur Athletic Foundation was established two years later with profits from the L.A. Games, DeFrantz became its president.
Since then, the foundation’s endowment has grown from $94 million to $140 million, throwing off dividends of $5 million to $7 million per year to fund youth sports programs in almost all summer-Olympic events. The programs serve 100,000 kids between 7 and 18 throughout Southern California.
“She transcends most international sports organizations in terms of being a champion of women’s participation in sport,” said Peter Ueberroth, who is chairman of the AAF board and led the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee. “She has shown the leadership skills in finance, law, and then the skill not many people have: understanding the world of giving.”
DeFrantz oversees a full-time staff of 19 employees, 100 part-time coaching clinic teachers and 100 volunteers dubbed “Friends of Sport.”
In addition to sports programs, the AAF also funds clinics on how to become coaches for recreational sports programs.
“It provides kids the opportunity to experience team (play), success, and for girls in particular, it helps them to become good decision-makers and teaches them to say no,” said DeFrantz. She adds that studies have shown that teenage women in sports are far less likely to become pregnant. “When you are empowered to have confidence in oneself, you can (handle) any situation.”
DeFrantz herself did not take a serious stab at crew until her sophomore year at Connecticut College. She made the U.S. women’s crew team in 1976 while working and studying for a law degree at the University of Pennsylvania.
In 1986, she was named to the International Olympic Committee, and in 1997, she became the body’s first female vice president. When an international bribery scandal erupted, DeFrantz launched an unsuccessful campaign to replace outgoing IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch.
“I’m a competitor,” said DeFrantz, whose term as vice president expired but who still sits on the IOC committee. “When I don’t win, it’s frustrating.”
David Greenberg
No. 10
Jim Easton
President
Easton Sports Inc.
Heads Van Nuys-based maker of equipment for hockey, baseball, softball and bicycling. Company has strong presence in Southern California through sponsorships and product donations; provides equipment for numerous college teams, including UCLA, and does professional sponsorships and player endorsements. Elected in 2002 to serve as vice president of the International Olympic Committee.
No. 11
Henry Samueli
President
Anaheim Arena Management
Co-founded Broadcom Corp. and has been sole chairman since 2003. Head of Anaheim Arena Management, which received an exclusive deal in November from Anaheim City Council to manage Arrowhead Pond, home of the NHL’s Mighty Ducks. The deal, intended to attract a second tenant (possibly an NBA team), gives the city a 20 percent share of revenues after sales exceed $12 million. AAM assumed all operating costs and $45 million in debt. Deal still needs approval from bankruptcy court.
No. 12
Donald Sterling
Owner
Los Angeles Clippers
L.A. real estate developer who purchased the San Diego Clippers in 1981 for $12.5 million, Sterling moved them to Los Angeles before the 1984-85 season. Valued at $208 million by Forbes magazine, the Clippers turn a consistent profit by maintaining a low payroll. Often considered a second-class franchise due to Sterling’s unwillingness to invest in talent, he surprised everyone by hiring Mike Dunleavy as head coach as well as keeping two stars, Elton Brand and Corey Maggette, for the 2003-04 season. His high personal net worth and the team’s profitability give him national visibility.
No. 13
Bill Dwyre
Sports Editor
Los Angeles Times
Joined the Times in 1981, heads the sports department of the largest daily paper in the region, overseeing 100-person staff. The paper’s daily circulation of roughly 1 million gives it overriding influence over all aspects of sports. Shapes public opinion on player trades and negotiations. Shows no sign of stepping aside, though that doesn’t stop newsroom speculation on a successor (the department is loaded with deputies). As a Notre Dame alumnus, Dwyre covers Trojan-Fighting Irish games with particular gusto. Also visible at national level, affecting the national sports industry through articles, advertisements and marketing.
No. 14
Jim Lentz
Senior Vice President, Marketing
Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc.
From his post atop Toyota’s marketing division, Lentz controls the purse strings to the company’s millions in sponsorship dollars. And while the scope of those efforts is international, Toyota has become a force in the Southern California market.
Lentz is responsible for the division’s market planning, advertising, merchandising, sales promotions, incentives and Internet activities.
Toyota has sponsored the Grand Prix at Long Beach since its inception in 1975 and has had naming rights to the race since 1980. The race will take place this year on the weekend of April 16-18. The company also sponsors the Toyota Indy 400 at the California Speedway in Fontana.
“Without the support of Toyota and Jim there certainly wouldn’t be the same level of racing here,” said Jim Michaelian, president and chief executive of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach Inc. “This region would certainly suffer for the lack of Toyota’s support. They have been a tremendously positive force in our industry for many years.”
Toyota’s involvement in motorsports dates back 30 years, with sponsorship of professional and amateur sports teams and venues at different levels. According to the Sports Business Group, the consulting firm preparing the Business Journal’s list of most influential local sports executives, the company has the most integrated sports marketing approach of all the car manufacturers with a marketing presence in Southern California.
Lentz joined Toyota in 1982 and has held several marketing, sales and promotions positions within the company, rising to manager of the Los Angeles region by 2000. Most recently, he has been charged with the launch of Toyota’s new Scion vehicle.
A graduate of the University of Denver, he earned an undergraduate degree in marketing and economics, a finance master’s degree and an MBA.
Andy Fixmer
No. 15
Casey Wasserman
Chairman & Chief Executive
Wasserman Media Group
Grandson of former Universal Studios head and MCA co-founder Lew Wasserman, his sports and entertainment company’s holdings include the Arena Football League’s Los Angeles Avengers, Envision LLC and Familie, a sports management firm. Chaired AFL’s labor committee, helping put together the collective bargaining agreement with its players. Also headed business development committee that negotiated the league’s national television partnership with NBC. With Philip Anschutz, trying to bring the NFL to Los Angeles. Active in philanthropy, including family’s private foundation.
No. 16
Jon Kirk Mukri
General Manager, Department of Recreation and Parks
City of Los Angeles
On what in the pro ranks would be a shoestring budget of $180 million, Mukri oversees one of the largest public sports programs in the world. Its assets include 387 parks, 176 recreation centers, 253 baseball fields, 287 tennis courts, 53 soccer fields, 59 swimming pools and 13 golf courses.
But it’s a program that has had its troubles of late.
The Department of Recreation and Parks’ annual budget has been slashed due to state and local budget cuts in each of the last two years. The department’s employee base has been downsized, too. As a result, lots of deferred maintenance of parks and athletic facilities remain on hold.
Meanwhile, the department has been beset by internal turmoil: Mukri’s predecessor, Manuel Mollinedo, left to run the San Francisco Zoo; he was the second general manager to leave within the year. The department has been criticized for lacking focus and direction.
In hopes of turning things around, Mayor James Hahn last month brought in Mukri, a former naval officer who improved the performance at the city’s sprawling General Services agency during his four years as general manager.
“I had my doubts at first when (former L.A. Mayor) Richard Riordan first brought him in, but he has turned out to be one of the best managers in the city,” said Julie Butcher, general manager of Service Employees International Union Local 347, the largest city employee union. Butcher, who has had her share of clashes with city administrators, described Mukri as a focused leader who works with employees to set goals for change.
“He can be very creative in his thinking,” she said.
Mukri, who was on vacation last week and unavailable, will need every ounce of that creativity at Recreation and Parks. With funding from traditional sources reduced and unlikely to return soon, he will likely have to turn to more novel approaches just to keep all the existing facilities in shape.
“He’s going to need to bring in funding from the private sector,” said Steve Soboroff, president of Playa Vista and a former president of the Recreation and Parks commission. Soboroff suggested setting up a private foundation similar to the one Hahn announced this month for the Cultural Affairs department, as well as limited commercial sponsorships of facilities.
The most pressing need, said current Recreation and Parks Commissioner Lisa Specht, is for more soccer fields, especially lit ones. But before taking care of that, Mukri will have to get the department functioning on all cylinders again.
“It’s a very, very tough department to run,” Specht said. “He’s dealing with a huge staff, a somewhat entrenched bureaucracy and competing demands from council members, all of whom want more parks and facilities in their districts.”
Howard Fine
No. 17
Alan Rothenberg
Chairman
Premier Partnerships
Former partner at Latham & Watkins, he has chaired the Los Angeles Sports Council since 2002. Former owner of the Los Angeles Aztecs (North American Soccer League) and commissioner of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics soccer tournament. Influential in amateur and professional soccer, given his work in the sport on both the regional and national levels. Also served as member of NBA Board of Governors on behalf of the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers. Potential investor in other sports. Strong community involvement, including a leadership role in LA Inc., the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
No. 18
David Simon
President
Los Angeles Sports Council
Started career on Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee in 1979, giving him wide recognition in the sports community. In the late 1980s, helped create Los Angeles Sports Council, a non-profit that promotes spectator sports programs in Los Angeles and Orange counties, giving him influence in a variety of sports businesses and bringing more than $1 billion to Southern California with the Council’s events. Through Sports Council Foundation, he has helped thousands of local underprivileged kids attend college and professional football games.
No. 19
Arn Tellem
President & Chief Executive
SFX Baseball & Basketball
Recognized as a highly influential and visible sports agent, has negotiated some of the biggest contracts in the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball. Is considered an expert on the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Although personal wealth is lower than others on the list and direct influence is limited to players in Southern California, possesses high potential to change outcome for local teams and thus the industry.
No. 20
George Mihlsten
Partner
Latham & Watkins
Considered point man for getting large-scale development projects through the city approval process. Has significant experience in real estate transactions and influence over venues. Helped the $350 million, 20,000-seat Staples Center obtain approvals and represented Eli Broad and Edward Roski Jr. in their aborted efforts to bring an NFL franchise to L.A. Involved in civic, community and charitable organizations.
No. 21
Earvin “Magic” Johnson
Chief Executive
Magic Johnson Enterprises
Oversees sports business MJE and its numerous subsidiaries, including Magic Johnson Theatres, Johnson Development Corp., Magic Johnson T’s, Magic Johnson All-Star Camps and Magic Johnson Entertainment. Retired from a celebrated 13-year NBA career that included five championships and an Olympic gold medal from the 1992 Games. Owns minority stake in Lakers. Involved in community and philanthropic activities, though doesn’t quite have the profile of a few years back. Still highly influential in the Los Angeles market given his international recognition and high net worth.
No. 22
Eli Broad
Founder
AIG SunAmerica Inc./KB Home
Built two Fortune 500 companies over a 50-year business career. Highly influential in the community, with ongoing leadership roles in art, science, education and civic development. Ranked by the Business Journal last year as the richest person in Los Angeles. Offered to buy the Dodgers if the McCourt bid fell through. Although amount invested in sports in Southern California is limited (as well as his interest), his ability to influence all factors in the sports market gives him power and influence.
No. 24
Peter Ueberroth
Managing Director
Contrarian Group Inc.
Recognition and influence comes mostly from five years served as commissioner of Major League Baseball and as president of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee from 1980 to 1984. Has potential to become a franchise owner, although net worth and buying power is lower than his peers on the list. Chairs Amateur Athletic Foundation, which was endowed from surplus funds from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
No. 25
Scott Boras
President & Owner
Scott Boras Corp.
Played minor league baseball and practiced law, now represents dozens of professional baseball players. Has negotiated hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts, including lucrative deals for Alex Rodriguez and Kevin Brown. Has sizable impact on labor negotiations with the players union and Major League Baseball. Considered very influential but controversial for his contentious negotiating techniques.
Profiles compiled by Nicole Taylor
