Jeff Olson has been announced as vice president of booking for Crypto.com Arena, Microsoft Theater and L.A. LIVE, all of which are owned and operated by Anschutz Entertainment Group. The announcement was made by President Lee Zeidman.
“We are incredibly excited to have Jeff Olson joining our team at Crypto.com Arena, Microsoft Theater and L.A. LIVE,” said Zeidman. “He brings over 23 years of experience and knowledge of booking and event production to our venues and to the market, along with strong industry relationships.” In his new role, Olson will be primarily focused on sourcing talent, negotiating, and securing deals with high-priority clients and promoters for shows for all three venues. He will also be responsible for working with NBA teams Los Angeles Lakers, LA Kings, Los Angeles Clippers, and WNBA team Los Angeles Sparks, assisting with the scheduling and maintenance of Crypto.com Arena’s calendar.
Olson will also schedule and maintain various award shows and residencies for Microsoft Theater and L.A. LIVE venue calendars. Olson will report directly to Hallie Yavitch, senior vice president, booking & marketing for Crpyto.com Arena, Microsoft Theater and L.A. LIVE.
Olson started his career in the live entertainment industry with Meridian Entertainment in Holt, Michigan in 1998 as talent buyer and event producer. He then moved to Los Angeles in 2002 and worked for Arena Network as talent buyer and marketing director for 12 years. Olson then moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 2014 as the director of booking, events & marketing for the Memphis Grizzlies and FedEx Forum, where he scheduled games for the Memphis Grizzlies and University of Memphis Men’s Basketball, whilst booking all major concerts, family shows and other events.
“I am elated to have Jeff join the booking team and delighted to welcome him back to Los Angeles,” said Yavitch, adding, “His impressive resume, experience and relationships will help our venues continue to grow and succeed in a competitive landscape.”
Most recently, Olson was the Director of Booking & Special Events for Snapdragon Stadium under OVG360 – a division of Oak View Group – from November 2021until February 2023, charged with booking, planning, and overseeing the execution of all concerts, dirt shows, international soccer matches and other major events. Olson worked with San Diego State University to schedule games for the SDSU Aztecs Football team as well as the San Diego Wave and the San Diego Legion teams. He was also responsible for booking Kaiser Permanente Thrive Park for major music and food festivals as well as scheduling various other events throughout the Snapdragon Stadium complex. He also oversaw an active special events department that sells, schedules, plans and executes private and corporate events throughout the complex.
“It has always been a dream of mine to be a part of such premier and iconic venues that are continually active and busy. I am also grateful to be back in the Los Angeles market and I look forward to working with some of the best people in the business,” said Olson.
