Read AEG, Anschutz statement on ending company's sale

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Los Angeles Kings players celebrate the Stanley Cup after defeating the New Jersey Devils in Game 6 of the best-of-seven Final series at Staples Center in June. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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The L.A. Lakers travel past Staples Center during the team’s victory parade in June 2009. AEG holds a minority stake in the Lakers. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan shoots the ball over Dynamo goalie Tally Hall to score the game-winning goal in the MLS Championship at the Home Depot Center in November. AEG owns both teams. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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A spectator cheers on passing bicyclists along Figueroa Street in Los Angeles during the final leg of the Amgen Tour of California in May. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

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Bree Macouced is sprayed with water while dancing during the performance of Inspired Flight on the third day of the Coachella Music Festival in April. The AEG Live unit shares ownership of the event with festival founder Paul Tollett. (Arkasha Stevenson / Los Angeles Times)

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Brad Paisley performs during the Stagecoach country music festival in April at the Empire Polo Fields in Indio. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Gym Class Heroes performs at KIIS radio’s 2012 Wango Tango at the Home Depot Center in Carson in May. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

By Ricardo Lopez

March 14, 2013 1:08 PM PT

Philip Anschutz, the billionaire chairman of AEG, announced Thursday that the sale of the behemoth entertainment company would be halted.

Anschutz Entertainment Group Inc. owns L.A. Live, Staples Center and the Los Angeles Kings, among other holdings.

AEG: A look back

Here is the full text of the statement the company released Thursday:

“The Anschutz Company announced today that it will retain ownership of Anschutz Entertainment Group, Inc. and terminate the sales process for AEG.

Philip F. Anschutz, as Chairman of AEG, will resume a more active role in the Company, with a particular focus on the Company’s world-wide strategy and operations. Dan Beckerman will assume the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Beckerman joined AEG over 15 years ago and previously served as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer.

Tim Leiweke, who has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of AEG since 1996, will be leaving the Company by mutual agreement. “We appreciate the role Tim has played in the development of AEG, and thank him for the many contributions he has made to the Company. We wish him well in his new endeavors” said Mr. Anschutz.

Ted Fikre, who joined the Company in 1997, will become Vice Chairman of the Company and continue as AEG’s Chief Legal and Development Officer, as well as assume responsibility for AEG’s Governmental and Media Relations. Jay Marciano, currently President and Chief Executive Officer of AEG Europe, will relocate from London to Los Angeles to assume the role of Chief Operating Officer. Todd Goldstein, who has been with the Company since 2001, recently was elevated to Chief Revenue Officer and will continue in that role. Steven Cohen, Executive Vice President of the Anschutz Company, will serve as AEG’s Chief Strategic Officer while retaining his role at AEG’s parent company.

Mr. Beckerman, Mr. Fikre, Mr. Marciano, Mr. Goldstein and Mr. Cohen, together with Mr. Anschutz, will constitute AEG’s Office of the Chairman.

Photo gallery: AEG properties in Southern California

‘From the very beginning of the sales process, we have made it clear to our employees and partners throughout the world that unless the right buyer came forward with a transaction on acceptable terms we would not sell the Company’ said Mr. Anschutz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Anschutz Company. ‘From the very first days of AEG, my vision has been to tie together world class real estate development structured around entertainment venues with premium sports and live entertainment content. In recent years we have developed related businesses to further promote and enhance the performance of AEG’s facilities for the benefit of our partners, including our sponsors, artists, consumers and the communities in which we operate. The Company’s operations will continue to be run by AEG’s experienced senior executive team, most of whom have been with AEG for over a decade. We will continue to set the standards in the industries in which AEG operates, bringing our unique vision and development model to entertainment locations throughout the world.’

‘Phil’s active reengagement in the operations of the Company has brought a renewed spirit and passion to the management team’s focus on AEG’s next steps” noted Dan Beckerman. “The Company has a number of interesting business opportunities, and the expertise of the management team and our 26,000 employees around the world will allow us to select those prospects that best enhance the Company’s performance. Priority projects going forward include the development of Farmers Field adjacent to our L.A. Live campus and the pursuit of our plan to bring the NFL back to Los Angeles, our recently announced initiative to collaborate with MGM to build a new arena in Las Vegas, the acquisition of ownership stakes and the associated refurbishment of several major global arenas in Europe and our ongoing investment in AXS.com, our ticketing and e-commerce platform, as we expand its capabilities for the benefit of our venues, partners, performers and consumer end-users.’ ”

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ricardo.lopez2@latimes.com