Forbes on what happened between Anschutz and Leiweke

Mike Ozanian, a Forbes staff writer on the business of sports, writes that the real reason billionaire Philip Anschutz terminated the sale of AEG — and parted ways with longtime LA honcho Tim Leiweke — involved a dispute between the men over how that sale was proceeding. Ozanian's backup for his report is unnamed sources "very close to the situation."

Here is what I have been hearing from people very close to the situation who would only speak off the record: Anschutz got wind that Leiweke was trying to influence the choice of a buyer for AEG. Anschutz became infuriated and fired him and ended the sale. Makes sense. Why wouldn’t Leiweke want to have a say in who bought AEG given he was hoping to stay on? Trouble is Anschutz asked Leiweke to make sales presentations, not try to determine the winner.

Leiweke has a terrific reputation. But he may have been too aggressive for Anschutz. Calls I made to AEG and Leiweke over the past couple of days were not returned.