Found this on YouTube: Also: http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/c...nounce_grizzlies_limited_partner_group_121105 I wonder how he is going to divide up his time because I think that Levien is breaking through w/ the D.C. Govt.
A bit concerned about this. I thought he was the new point man/managing partner for DCU ownership. It's hard to see how that fits with being CEO of an NBA franchise.
If he is moving to DC it sure sounds like he is committed to DC United. Geoff said the move is related to stadium issue/talks.
If you read the ESPN story on it, looks like Levien will be the "man in charge" in Memphis. Look at his background, Sacramento Kings, 76ers and now he put together a group that just purchased the Grizzlies. He is a basketball guy first by a mile. My guess is there will be some reshuffling at DCU as a result. Remember, Levien was the "fixer" for Thohir who is the money guy, Levien never brought much cash to the deal. DCU's problem always has been the lack of a money guy, a fixer who speaks for money is relatively easy to find. The money guy still is here, DCU might need another bargaining agent for the money. That's how Garth Lagerwey wound up at RSL. I'm sure there are more Lagerwey's out there.
While we're speculating, let me throw something out there. Maybe he's moving on because his job here in DC is just about completed. I've heard from a reasonably reliable source (no, not Kevin Payne's wife's hairdresser's cousin) that stadium negotiations have progressed well and are further along than most might assume. I know nothing for sure; just speculating. But maybe. asitis
Even if the stadium deal was completely done and we had the stadium built and we loved it and so on, I'd be a little concerned. While I'm not hoping for anything Dan Snyder-ish or Jerry Jones-ish, I had hoped his presence here signalled a bit more emotional/intellectual investment in the team. I want someone looking over Payne and Kasper's shoulders very very often, not absentee ownership.
What are you talking about? My post was saying Goff said Levien is moving to DC because of our stadium talks.
I'm fairly certain that CEO of anything is a pretty cushy low-impact kind of job that gives you plenty of time to do other things. I should clarify for all you "small business" owners out there I am talking more about a large organization CEO, not CEO-by-name of a small company that actually requires someone with that position to actually do anything
Fairly certain the the CEO of my place of employment ($1B company) doesn't have a cushy low-impact job either. Perhaps it's that way in the sports business. In the IT business I don't think CEO is a very cushy job at all. The money is crazy good, but the work involved is massive. That's what worries me about Levien. If he's too busy w/ the NBA, how will he have any time for a stadium?
I base my opinion on my years of IT jobs, specifically those in the Telecom industry. And IBM. Lots of golf meetings and plenty of flying around, occasionally talking with Congress-people - but hardly "work" as CEO, you should be hiring other Execs to make their underlings do the real work, you're just a point-man and pretty face. Pretty sure you can invite both NBA and MLS people or the mayor/councils of both Memphis and DC on the same golf outings