While U.S. coverage — including ours — of Las Vegas Sands COO Michael Leven‘s recent “fireside chat” tended to focus on his backward-thinking tirade about those confounded new social media, Macau Daily Times zeroed in on the continued vacuum at the top of Sands China, which has gone nine months without a CEO. According to the paper, the leading criterion for the job is an ability to “manage government relations.” Added $2 Million Mike, “The person would have some government experience.”
Now danged if that doesn’t sound like outgoing Sen. John Ensign (R-NV), who’ll have some free time starting next month. Not only have the coffers of his legal defense fund been swelled by donations from Sheldon Adelson, the casino heir (I briefly mis-typed “hair”; Freudian slip!) has actual (if penny-ante and long-ago) casino managerial experience back when his father’s Gold Strike company was operating in Jean, Nev.
After the Steven Jacobs experience, it’s certain that Adelson (left) and Leven will want to keep a tight rein on how their Chinese subsidiary is operated. If they want someone who’ll be congenial but also well-versed in the ways of government (including the importance of golf), “Johnny Casino” should fit their prescription to a “T.”
Bonus Question: If Donald Trump‘s negatives are going off the chart, will his pretend presidential “campaign” inflict collateral damage on his casino and lodging brands? (Too bad that Steve Friess is helping Sheldon Adelson perpetuate the self-serving myth that he is “gay-friendly” when Shel’s political contributions tell an entirely different story.)
Thats one company my wife is not sending a resume to.