L.A. Arena Funding v. Silktex CA2/4

I. Factual Background

The Staples Center is owned by appellant, which is an affiliate of Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG). In August 2009, the Staples Center’s Premium Seating Department held an open house for prospective licensees of luxury suites. Eddie Gomez, an Account Executive in the Premium Seating Department, met Albert Damion Hall and Attala Giles at the open house.1 According to Giles, he

1 In a declaration, Gomez mistakenly stated that he met Hall and Phillip Prince at the open house. Gomez subsequently acknowledged that Hall was accompanied by Attala Giles, not Prince.

2 accompanied Hall to the event at the Staples Center after Phillip Prince asked them to determine the cost of three luxury suites. The parties dispute what Hall and Giles related to Gomez about their business, but it is undisputed that Gomez took them to dinner and then gave them a tour of the Staples Center, including three luxury suites that were unlicensed and available. After the tour, Gomez introduced Hall and Giles to Jason Gonella, AEG’s Vice President of Premium Seating Sales. According to appellant, Hall and Giles explained that they were forming Silktex, a new organization with three…