Philip Anschutz facts for kids

Philip Frederick Anschutz, born on December 28, 1939, is an American businessman. He owns or controls many companies in different areas. These include energy, railroads, real estate, sports, and entertainment. He also owns newspapers, travel companies, and movie theaters.

In 1961, he took over his father's oil drilling company. He made a lot of money in Wyoming. He then invested in stocks, real estate, and railroads. Later, he put money into sports and entertainment. He helped start Major League Soccer (MLS). He also owned several soccer teams, like the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Anschutz is the main owner of the National Hockey League's Los Angeles Kings. He also owned a small part of the National Basketball Association's Los Angeles Lakers until 2021. He owns parts of famous places like Crypto.com Arena and The O2 Arena. Through his company, Walden Media, he helped make movies such as The Chronicles of Narnia and Ray. He also owns the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

As of May 2025, Forbes magazine says he is one of the richest people in the world. His wealth is estimated at $16.9 billion.

Early Life and Education

Philip Anschutz was born on December 28, 1939, in Russell, Kansas. His parents were Marian and Frederick Benjamin Anschutz. His father was an oil businessman and bought a lot of land. Philip's grandfather, Carl Anschutz, came from Russia. He started a bank in Russell. Philip grew up in Russell, and also lived in Wichita and Hays, Kansas.

Anschutz finished high school in 1957. In 1961, he earned a degree in business from the University of Kansas.

Building a Business Empire

Land and Oil Ventures

In 1970, Anschutz bought a very large farm in Kansas. It was 250,000 acres. The next year, he bought 9 million acres of land near the Utah-Wyoming border. This land helped him make his first big money in the oil business.

In the early 1980s, his Anschutz Ranch became famous. It had a huge oil field, the biggest found in the U.S. since 1968. In 1982, he sold part of this oil field to Mobil for $500 million. For some years, he was the only billionaire in Colorado. He became one of the biggest landowners in the United States.

Railroads and Other Businesses

Anschutz then moved into railroads. In 1984, he bought the company that owned the Rio Grande Railroad. Later, this railroad bought Southern Pacific. When Southern Pacific joined with Union Pacific Corporation in 1996, Anschutz became a leader at Union Pacific.

He also became involved with Qwest, a telecommunications company. He was a director and chairman there for many years. He also served on boards for oil and gas groups.

In 2002, Anschutz Exploration Corporation decided not to drill for oil in a special area in Montana. This area had sacred rock drawings from Native American tribes. Instead, they gave their oil and gas rights to a group that protects historic places. This group promised to let the rights expire.

In 2008, Anschutz bought Xanterra Parks and Resorts. This company owns places like the Grand Canyon Railway. He also bought the Oklahoma Publishing Company in 2011. This included The Broadmoor hotel and the Manitou and Pike's Peak Railway.

Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG)

The Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) is a big company that handles sports and music events. It is part of The Anschutz Corporation. AEG owns many sports teams, events, and venues around the world. It also owns entertainment places. Through AEG Live, it puts on many live music and entertainment shows. This includes the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

Sports Investments

Anschutz is very important in the sports world. In 2012, SportsBusiness Journal called him one of the most influential people in sports business.

Soccer's Growth

Anschutz is one of only four people to receive the Medal of Honor. This award is for helping soccer grow in the United States. He was one of the people who started Major League Soccer (MLS). He owned several MLS teams over time. These included the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chicago Fire, and Colorado Rapids.

For a while, when MLS was struggling, Anschutz owned six teams at once. He lost a lot of money, but many say he saved MLS. The MLS Commissioner, Don Garber, said in 2006 that "without Phil Anschutz, there's no MLS today."

Anschutz helped MLS grow its income. He pushed for building stadiums just for soccer. This helped teams make more money. He also supported creating Soccer United Marketing, which handles the league's sales. He now only owns the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Other Sports Teams

Anschutz is the main owner of the Los Angeles Kings hockey team. He also owned a small part of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team until 2021. Through his company, ASM Global, he owns parts of famous sports venues. These include Crypto.com Arena and O2 Arena.

Other Business Interests

Anschutz has many other business interests. He is the largest shareholder in Union Pacific railroad. He also owns more than half of the Regal Entertainment Group. This is one of the biggest movie theater chains in the world.

He has invested in many newspapers and media groups. These include The Oklahoman and The Gazette. He also owned The Weekly Standard, a magazine, which closed in 2018.

Anschutz has invested in companies that help the oil and gas business. He also owns radio stations in Colorado. In 2008, his company bought LightEdge Solutions. This company provides internet and computer services for businesses.

In 2011, Anschutz bought all the assets of the Oklahoma Publishing Company. He also invested in a large wind power project in Wyoming. This project, called Chokecherry and Sierra Madre, will have many wind turbines. It is one of the largest wind power facilities planned in the world.

Giving Back to the Community

Anschutz is very active in giving to charity. He leads the Anschutz Foundation. In 2019, he was listed among the top philanthropists by Forbes.

Anschutz and his wife, Nancy, have given over $100 million to the University of Colorado School of Medicine. This medical campus in Aurora, Colorado, is now named the Anschutz Medical Campus in their honor. They also donated to the University of Kansas, where they both went to college. There is an Anschutz Library and an Anschutz Sports Pavilion there. In 2009, they received an award for their charity work.

In 2018, Anschutz donated $1 million to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Personal Life

Philip Anschutz is a Christian. He and his wife Nancy have three children. He met Nancy when he was 16 years old. He was added to the Kansas Business Hall of Fame in 2000. He was also inducted into the U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 2002.

Anschutz likes to stay out of the public eye. He has given very few interviews. In 2015, he spoke publicly to talk about Major League Soccer's 20th anniversary. He has also run 15 marathons.

Awards and Recognition

• 1985 – Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement
• 2000 – Kansas Business Hall of Fame
• 2017 – Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas "Kansan of the Year"

Books

• Out Where the West Begins: Creating & Civilizing the American West, Cloud Camp Press, 2017

See also

In Spanish: Philip Anschutz para niños