How Anschutz’s Ownership Has Transformed the LA Kings

The Los Angeles Kings have been one of the NHL’s most historic and recognizable franchises. They became champions by winning Stanley Cups in 2012 and 2014, transforming Southern California’s hockey landscape and establishing themselves as one of the strongest organizations in a competitive sports market.

Since the 2017 offseason, the Kings have gone through several coaching changes and front-office adjustments while working to build a roster capable of sustained success. During that time, they have remained competitive and returned to the playoffs, but advancing beyond the first round has remained a challenge. As the franchise enters a new era, the focus shifts to how the Kings can build on their foundation and take the next step from being a consistent playoff team to a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

Is Competition Enough?

The Kings have been owned by the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) since the franchise was purchased in 1995. Under AEG’s ownership, the Kings became part of a larger sports and entertainment empire that also helped transform downtown Los Angeles through specific projects like Crypto.com Arena.

Off the ice, the franchise has enjoyed stability, while on the ice it has remained a consistent playoff team in recent years. However, advancing beyond the first round has been a challenge, with the team’s last deep playoff run ending in a Stanley Cup championship in 2014. As the Kings move into a new era, the focus will be on building on that foundation and finding ways to turn regular playoff appearances into deeper postseason runs.

Ownership changes are rarely simple. They often come with major financial costs and uncertainty, but they can also provide an opportunity for a franchise to change direction. Following Anze Kopitar‘s retirement after 20 seasons as the face of the organization, the Kings are entering an important transition period. The team has remained competitive, but the goal will be finding a way to build toward sustained championship success instead of maintaining the same results year after year.

The impact of new ownership can be seen through the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). When Magic Johnson and the Guggenheim Baseball Management group took over in 2012, they brought a new vision to the organization. Their ownership group invested heavily in the team, improved the overall structure of the franchise, and helped establish a winning culture that could compete year after year.

While the Dodgers and Kings are in very different situations, the Dodgers provide an example of how ownership can influence a team’s direction, culture, and long-term goals. Whether the Kings remain under AEG or eventually have new ownership, those same qualities will continue to play an important role in shaping the franchise’s future.

AEG’s Role in Shaping the Kings

It’s important to understand what AEG has brought to the franchise. They have helped turn the Kings into a more stable and respected organization. Beyond just owning the team, the group played a major role in making the Kings part of the larger Los Angeles sports and entertainment scene. The organization went from being a team that struggled to find consistent success into one that could compete for championships. However, the challenge now is figuring out what comes next.

After 10 seasons of being led by Kopitar, the Kings are entering an era where they need to establish a new identity. One of the biggest questions is whether Adrian Kempe or Kevin Fiala can grow into a larger leadership role and help define the team’s next chapter. While AEG has built a strong foundation, the organization’s next steps will depend on how it continues to adapt and build toward future success.