The Kings at 60: From 4,000 empty seats to a $3.33-billion NHL franchise

Marking their 60th anniversary, the Los Angeles Kings have evolved from struggling with sparse crowds in 1967 into an NHL franchise valued at $3.33 billion by Sportico. Executive Alan Rothenberg, who worked alongside original owner Jack Kent Cooke, helped launch the team with an opening win in Long Beach before 7,023 spectators and 4,000 empty seats.

Now owned by AEG, the Kings rank fourth in NHL franchise value and helped pioneer hockey's growth across warm-weather markets. More than a third of NHL teams currently compete in Sun Belt or desert climates, winning six of the last seven Stanley Cup championships.