Former Toronto Maple Leafs CEO Indicted, Facing Very Serious Charges
Photo credit: Jay Calderon/The Des | Imagn images
Former Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment CEO was indicted on multiple charges of bid rigging in Texas after a scandal for a new stadium was exposed.
Tim Leiweke took over as MLSE CEO from Richard Peddie upon his retirement in 2013, but departed MLSE in 2015 after just two years as CEO.
After parting ways with MLSE, Leiweke founded Oak View Group, overseeing arena projects across North America, including the re-design of the Seattle Kraken's then new home, Climate Pledge Arena.
On Wednesday, it was revealed that Leiweke was indicted on bid rigging charges by the U.S. grand jury in Texas regarding a new arena at the University of Texas at Austin.
According to reports, Leiweke had allegedly steered numerous entertainment contracts towards his company from 2018 to 2024.
In the indictment, which was filed at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Leiweke was accused of striking a side deal with the CEO of a competitor to back down in bidding for the arena contract in exchange for sub-contracts.
A spokesperson for Leiweke has reached out to Maple Leafs Daily and wishes to share the following message with the public:
"Mr. Leiweke has done nothing wrong and will vigorously defend himself and his well-deserved reputation for fairness and integrity. The Antitrust Division's allegations are wrong on the law and the facts, and the case should never have been brought.
The law is clear: vertical, complementary business partnerships, like the one contemplated between OVG and Legends, are legal. These allegations blatantly ignore established legal precedent and seek to criminalize common teaming efforts that are proven to enhance competition and benefit 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 law is clear: vertical, complementary business partnerships, like the one contemplated between OVG and Legends, are legal. These allegations blatantly ignore established legal precedent and seek to criminalize common teaming efforts that are proven to enhance competition and benefit 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."
Certainly an unexpected bit of news, and there are a lot more questions than answers at the moment. We'll continue to monitor this story and provide updates as they become available.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 10 | 1960 ANSWERS Former Toronto Maple Leafs CEO Indicted, Facing Very Serious Charges Are you surprised Tim Leiweke was accused of bribing people? | ||
| Yes, business can be cutthroat | 1179 | 60.2 % |
| Not necessarily | 781 | 39.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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