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Those are quirks David Anderson picked up while working for the Chicago White Sox and the Anaheim Angels, and at the United Center in Chicago when Michael Jordan was lofting fade-away jumpers and winning back-to-back-to-back championships.
When you’re looking for a second-in-command to run a facility like the Sprint Center, there’s no learning curve or on-the-job training. From day one, when the doors of a new arena open, you need a competent second-in-command who knows the ins and outs of the trade.
That’s why Anderson, the vice president and assistant general manager of the Sprint Center, was brought on board. The Chicago native has been around arenas and sports facilities much of his life. He brings with him the kind of experience and leadership a facility like the arena needs.
I recently interviewed him at his office at the arena.
“It is a fun job,” Anderson said. “I love it. But this is something I’ve done for a while.”
Indeed, his resume reflects that experience. He worked for the White Sox as manager of guest services. That led to a job as supervisor of suite services across town at the United Center.
From 2000 to 2004, Anderson filled a variety of roles with Anschutz Entertainment Group and at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, serving as director of special events and director of guest services. Before coming to Kansas City in May 2006, he worked for the San Diego Chargers as director of guest services. Of all his jobs, the position he holds now is his favorite because of its unpredictability.
“It’s definitely not a 9-to-5 job,” Anderson said. “I like the challenge of that. You come to work and never know what’s going to be on your plate.”
Seeing feet tapping to music and smiles on faces is the most rewarding part of his job.
“It’s about making people happy,” Anderson said. “That’s what you do. That’s the part of the business I like.
“People don’t realize that when they get into this industry, that we are here to entertain. When others are going out on a Friday and Saturday night enjoying themselves, we’re providing that entertainment. You become what is called an arena rat. I would definitely classify myself as an arena rat.”
Anderson readily admits that his friends don’t like attending sporting events with him. He’s constantly focusing on details such as empty seats, trash pickup and, of course, his passion: customer service. He’s been known to pitch in and help.
“If I’m at the Royals stadium and if it’s a long line, I’m telling people in line that there’s a shorter line down at the other end,” Anderson said. “You fall into that mode. You can’t escape it.”
In addition to the opportunity to team up again with Brenda Tinnen, the Sprint Center senior vice president and general manager, Anderson was drawn to the job because of the latitude he was given to hire managers and directors.
“It’s been very rewarding getting the building open and seeing the success so far,” Anderson said.
Running an arena isn’t one of those jobs you fill with somebody from this area just to make a statement for the locals. You make a statement by hiring the best person for the job, regardless of where they’re from.
And here’s the deal: Kansas City doesn’t have a history of running facilities on par with the Staples Center. Kemper Arena doesn’t qualify.
Few people in town have a track record of dealing with stars on the level of Garth Brooks, Prince and Paul McCartney. When you’re in the arena business, you must hire somebody who has done that.
In the case of the Sprint Center, the facility is in the capable hands of a Chicago-born arena rat named David Anderson, who is high on customer service and heavy on experience.
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