Tim Leiweke, the former president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) and current co-founder of arena management giant Oak View Group (OVG), has been indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice for his alleged role in a bid-rigging conspiracy tied to a university arena project in Texas.
The indictment accuses Leiweke of violating Section 1 of the Sherman Act, a U.S. antitrust law, carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. OVG and its partner Legends Hospitality have already agreed to pay penalties of $15 million and $1.5 million respectively in connection to the charges.
According to the Department of Justice, Leiweke sought to eliminate competition for the development of a new arena at the University of Texas in Austin. He allegedly discouraged a rival firm from bidding on the project by arranging for them to receive subcontracting opportunities instead, leaving OVG as the sole qualified bidder. That project would eventually become the Moody Center, which opened in April 2022 and continues to generate substantial revenue for Oak View Group.
OVG oversees the operation of several major venues across North America, including the Mattamy Athletic Centre and Downsview Park Festival Terrace in Toronto, TD Coliseum and FirstOntario Concert Hall in Hamilton, Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa, Durham Convention Centre in Ajax, Canada Life Centre in London, and the WFCU Centre in Windsor.
In response to the charges, Leiweke announced he would step down as CEO of OVG but would remain on the board as vice chairman and retain his stake in the company. OVG360 president Chris Granger will serve as interim CEO.
Leiweke has denied any wrongdoing, and a spokesperson called the Department of Justice’s case “legally and factually flawed,” insisting that the business relationship between OVG and Legends was lawful and beneficial to the public. “The Moody Center is a perfect example, as it has resulted in substantial and sustained benefits to the University of Texas and the City of Austin,” the statement said.
Leiweke led MLSE from 2013 to 2015, playing a key role in the signings of soccer superstar Sebastian Giovinco and in bringing on Brendan Shanahan and Masai Ujiri to lead the Toronto Maple Leafs and Raptors, respectively.
The charges have not yet been tested in court.