AEG Ogden Looks to Manage Sydney Entertainment Centre

The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that venue managers AEG Ogden wants to take on the management of the Sydney Entertainment Centre (SEC), reporter Bryce Hallett writing that the "bid is under scrutiny from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on the grounds that it could create a monopoly.

"AEG Ogden, which operates 15 sports and entertainment venues in the Asia Pacific region, has been looking to buy the lease since the producer Kevin Jacobsen and his brother Col Joye decided to sell their family's key entertainment assets.

"They include the Capitol Theatre and the nine remaining years of a 10-year lease of the Entertainment Centre by the Jacobsen subsidiary Arena Management. That company's Chief Executive, Michael Jacobsen, Kevin's son, resigned in April.

"The pioneering Jacobsen showbusiness dynasty lost control of the Capitol last month to the Foundation Entertainment Group, directed by the Melbourne businessman Stephen Found. He owns the innovative technology company Bytecraft Entertainment. The Capitol's next big attraction is the Broadway musical Wicked, opening in September.

"A number of producers and promoters are keen to see what the future holds for the 12,500-seat Sydney Entertainment Centre. It is leased by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority."

Hallett quoted a source as having stated that AEG Ogden "has plenty of money and clout but the landlord has to be mindful of not blocking competition. There's a clause preventing (venue) operators from owning or managing sports and entertainment arenas if they are (located) less than 200 kilometres apart."

Former SEC General Manager Tim Worton is currently AEG Ogden's Group Director - Arenas, based at the Acer Arena at Sydney Olympic Park.

AEG Ogden is a joint venture formed in December 2007 between AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group) and Brisbane based venue management specialists, Ogden IFC.

AEG Ogden is responsible for the management of AEG venues in the Asia Pacific region, which includes a network of arenas and stadiums, convention and exhibition centres and performing arts theatres. AEG Ogden has venues in Australia, China, Malaysia and Qatar, and provides the home ground for sporting teams participating in national competitions for basketball, football, rugby union and rugby league. AEG Ogden manages the largest network of venues in the Asia Pacific region.