Los Angeles Kings, commonly referred to as LA Kings or simply Kings, is one of the most iconic and successful hockey teams in the world. Founded in 1967 as part of the NHL's six-team expansion, the team is based in Los Angeles, California, USA, and plays its home matches at the famous Staples Center, which has a seating capacity of over 18,000.
LA Kings has a rich history, boasting 2 Stanley Cup titles, 3 Conference Championships, and numerous other domestic and international achievements. The team enjoyed its most successful era under legendary managers Terry Murray and Darryl Sutter, who led Kings to two Stanley Cup victories in 2012 and 2014.
Known for its aggressive style of play, the team has nurtured some of hockey’s greatest talents, including Wayne Gretzky, Luc Robitaille, Marcel Dionne, and Jonathan Quick. Despite recent challenges and inconsistent performances, LA Kings remains one of the world’s most valuable hockey teams, with a global fan base and a rich tradition that continues to influence American and world hockey.
LA Kings is one of the most popular hockey clubs in the world, with one of the highest average home attendances in North America. The club states that its worldwide fan base includes more than 200 officially recognised branches of the LA Kings Fans Club (LKFC), in at least 24 countries. The club takes advantage of this support through its worldwide summer tours. Accountancy firm and sports industry consultants Deloitte estimate that LA Kings has 75 million fans worldwide. The club has the third highest social media following in the world among sports teams (after Lakers and Celtics), with over 82 million Facebook followers as of July 2023. A 2014 study showed that LA Kings had the loudest fans in the NHL.
LA Kings was formed in 1967 as a part of the National Hockey League (NHL)'s six-team expansion. The team initially played games against other departments and hockey companies, but on 14 October 1967, they competed in their first recorded match; wearing the colours of the team—purple and gold—they were victorious against Philadelphia Flyers.
In December 2011, the impending resumption of hockey after the lockout led to the managerial appointment of Darryl Sutter, who demanded an unprecedented level of control over team selection, player transfers, and training sessions. Sutter led the team to Stanley Cup victories in 2012 and 2014. In 2012, the club won the Stanley Cup, its first major title in the team's history.
On 10 April 2017, Sutter was relieved of his coaching duties as the team missed the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. He was replaced by John Stevens who had previously served as an associate head coach for the Kings. Anze Kopitar took over as team captain in October 2016, a role he continues to hold. Despite the struggles, the team remains hopeful for a turnaround and continues to have a strong fan base.
Initially financed by the Los Angeles Monarchs, the team became a limited company in 1967 and sold shares to local supporters for $1 via an application form. In 1972, majority ownership passed to four local businessmen who invested $500 to save the team from bankruptcy, including future team president Jack Kent Cooke. After his death in 1997, the team faced bankruptcy yet again but was saved in December 1997 by Philip Anschutz, who assumed control of the team after an investment of $2,000. Anschutz promoted his son, Timothy, to the board in 1999, but died three years later; the Anschutz family retained ownership of the team through Philip's wife, Nancy, but the position of chairman passed to former player Luc Robitaille.
Promoted to the board a few days after the Staples Center disaster, Edward P. Roski, a friend of Rogie Vachon, began acquiring shares in the team; for an investment of approximately $40,000, he accumulated a 54 per cent shareholding and took control in January 1999. When Nancy Anschutz died in January 2002, her shares passed to Timothy Anschutz, who sold a percentage of his shares to Edward P. Roski's son, Edward Jr., in 2005; Edward Jr. went on to become chairman upon his father's death in 2010. Media tycoon Ted Turner attempted to buy the team in 1984, but did not meet Roski's asking price. In 2009, chairman Edward Jr. attempted to sell the team to George Gillett Jr. for $20 million, but the sale fell through and Gillett joined the board of directors instead.
The LA Kings is one of the most successful clubs in the NHL in terms of trophies won. The club's first trophy was the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl, which they won in 1993. In 2012, the club won their first Stanley Cup and repeated the feat in 2014. Since then, they have gone on to win two Division Championships. They have also appeared in the playoffs 30 times, showcasing their consistent performance.
Domestic
Continental
Individual Awards
LA Kings History: An in-depth look into the formation, success, and challenges faced by the LA Kings. https://www.nhl.com/kings/team/history
LA Kings Fan Base: A study on the extensive worldwide fan base of LA Kings. https://www.latimes.com/sports/hockey/story/2019-10-11/la-kings-fan-base
LA Kings Ownership: Details on the ownership history and financial struggles of the LA Kings. https://www.forbes.com/teams/los-angeles-kings/?sh=5d2af1f5462e
LA Kings Achievements: Comprehensive list of awards and achievements earned by the LA Kings and their players. https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/LAK/
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