So, Leiweke Has The Midas Touch?

[ABM]

http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/65801

Sports Executive of the Year
TOD LEIWEKE
Vulcan Sports & Entertainment

As chief executive officer of Paul Allen-owned Vulcan Sports, TodLeiweke oversees three professional franchises in the Seattle Sounders, Seattle Seahawks and Portland Trail Blazers, but it is the phenomenal success of the Sounders that cements Leiweke’s reputation as one of the industry’s most effective operators.

The Sounders took Major League Soccer by storm during its 2009 inaugural season, leading the league in average attendance and in merchandise sales. The Sounders landed Microsoft as the team’s jersey sponsor and each home game attracts rousing local fan interest. Ticket demand increased so much this year (the team now counts more than 32,000 season-ticket holders) that the franchise boosted seating at Qwest Field to 35,500.

“His staff has worked around him for a long time so he engenders loyalty,” said movie executive Joe Roth, an investor in the Sounders. “Tod is a fair-minded guy who also likes to have fun, but at the same time he is all business. He is totally involved in the specifics and the numbers and I would not have [invested in the Sounders] if not for him.”

In addition to the Sounders’ success, Leiweke stunned the football world by prying Pete Carroll out of USC to coach the Seahawks, demonstrating his ability to make the big hire when needed. And let’s not forget the Blazers, where Leiweke oversees the NBA franchise that this year sold out Rose Garden Arena, drawing 20,493 fans per game, the third-highest gate in the NBA.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I would say that is very very interesting. From a perception standpoint.

 

[maxiep]

Yeah, when I think about the success of the Blazers over the past few years, I think of Tod Leiweke.

 

[julius]

Yeah, when I think about the success of the Blazers over the past few years, I think of Tod Leiweke.

In Leiweke we trust.

 

[GriLtCheeZ]

Fuck the Shittle Flounders and all their paying customers!

 

[Nikolokolus]

Fuck the Shittle Flounders and all their paying customers!

Credibility. It's what's for dinner.

 

[jlprk]

Well, I found out what happened to Sonic fans. If it weren't for those 32,000 Sounder season tickets sold, the Blazers would sell more tickets to our already sold-out season.

 

[GriLtCheeZ]

Credibility. It's what's for dinner.

Huh?

 

[Nikolokolus]

Huh?

Killed, cooked and served on a platter by the Timbers fan ...

 

[BrianFromWA]

It's odd, b/c up here it's basically Gospel that Adrian Hanauer runs the show, and goes to the owners (including Drew Carey, among others) with what he's going to do. I don't know who set up the microsoft deal, but Adrian's the one who set up the Sounders Alliance and the charity outreaches. If it really was Tod, either bravo! to him for being humble, or get a better PR guy, man.