AUSTIN, Texas — President Donald Trump has issued a full and unconditional pardon to Timothy Leiweke, the former CEO of Oak View Group (OVG), who faced allegations of manipulating the bidding process for the development of the Moody Center. This decision comes several months after Leiweke was indicted by the U.S. Justice Department in July 2025.
Leiweke’s indictment stemmed from accusations that he attempted to prevent a competitor from bidding on the Moody Center project located on the University of Texas at Austin campus. The charges claimed that in 2017, he expressed interest in dissuading a competing firm from entering the bidding process. In early 2018, Leiweke allegedly offered subcontracts to the competing CEO in exchange for not submitting a bid for the arena’s development.
Details of the Charges and Indictment
The Moody Center officially opened its doors in Austin in the spring of 2022 after OVG secured the bid. According to the Justice Department, OVG “continues to receive significant revenues from the project to date.” Following the indictment, Leiweke was facing a potential fine of $1 million and a prison sentence of up to 10 years if convicted. Additionally, OVG agreed to pay a penalty of $15 million, and Leiweke was transitioned from his role as CEO to vice chairman of the Board of Directors.
Prosecutors contended that Leiweke’s actions undermined fair competition by violating Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act, which aims to prevent monopolistic practices. The indictment highlighted the need for fair bidding processes, particularly in public projects.
Leiweke’s Professional Background
Timothy Leiweke has had a prominent career in the sports and entertainment industry. He served as CEO of OVG for a decade, from 2015 until summer 2025. The company specializes in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services within the live event sector. Before his tenure at OVG, Leiweke was the president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment from 2013 to 2015, an organization based in Canada known for its ownership of various sports teams.
His previous experience also includes a leadership role at the Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns several sports teams, including the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings. Furthermore, Leiweke contributed to the development of the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, which serves as home to teams like the Seattle Kraken.
The pardon granted by Trump has reignited discussions regarding accountability in the bidding processes for public projects. As Leiweke moves forward from the allegations and his subsequent indictment, the implications of the case continue to resonate within the industry and beyond.
