Katie Pandolfo Named Gm of La’s Crypto.com Arena #CriptoNews

Katie Pandolfo has been promoted to general manager of Crypto.com Arena, home to the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, NHL’s Kings, WNBA’s Sparks and the Grammy Awards, AEG announced Thursday.

Pandolfo comes from another AEG property, Dignity Health Sports Park in nearby Carson, where she also served as G.M. since 2009 after starting there in 2004.

During her tenure, the 125-acre campus — host of Los Angeles Galaxy MLS matches — hosted seven MLS Cup championship contests, Olympic and World Cup qualifying soccer matches, three seasons of Los Angeles Chargers NFL football (while SoFi Stadium was being built) and championship boxing.

Pandolfo will oversee day-to-day operations of the busy Crypto.com Arena and report directly to AEG president and CEO Dan Beckerman.

“Katie brings a wealth of experience to this role having guided the operations and management of Dignity Health Sports Park for over two decades,” Beckerman said in a statement. “She is a talented leader with a proven track record of success in delivering world class events and an incredible reputation for guiding and motivating her team.”

“Her dedication and passion will be invaluable assets in leading Crypto.com Arena into the future, especially as the arena continues to build its legacy as a premier sports and entertainment destination with high-profile global events on the horizon, including the 2026 Grammy Awards, the 2027 NCAA regional men’s basketball tournament and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic games.”

Pandolfo takes over for the retiring Lee Zeidman on June 1. Zeidman, who has served as G.M. of Crypto.com Arena since the building opened in October 1999 as Staples Center, will remain as an adviser during a transition period.

“Lee has made an indelible and lasting impact on AEG, Crypto.com Arena and the city of Los Angeles, and his retirement later this year will mark the end of a remarkable chapter in his career,” Beckerman noted. “I am grateful for Lee’s friendship and support over these many years and wholeheartedly thank him for his years of leadership and numerous contributions.”

Pandolfo is a founding member of the Women’s Leadership Council at AEG and serves on the L.A. Sports and Entertainment Commission and the City of Carson’s Economic Development Commission.

With the promotion, Pandolfo — who was raised in Chicago and worked for the Los Angeles Dodgers after graduating from St. Norbert College in Wisconsin — will become the rare sports exec to have experience working with teams from the MLB, NFL, MLS, NHL and NBA.

“I am excited to join the talented team at Crypto.com Arena and look forward to collaborating with the arena’s management team and partners to continue delivering exceptional experiences that shape the future of culture and entertainment,” she said.