Trump Pardons Sports Exec Tim Leiweke in Texas Bid-Rigging Case

President Trump has granted a pardon to Tim Leiweke, the live entertainment executive accused of rigging a bid to build an arena on the campus of the University of Texas.

In a proclamation signed on Tuesday, Trump granted a “full and unconditional pardon” to Leiweke in connection with the charge.

Leiweke, the former CEO of Oak View Group, was indicted by Trump’s Justice Department in July and was due to go on trial next year. He was accused of persuading a rival bidder to drop out in exchange for subcontracts on the arena project. OVG ended up as the sole bidder on the arena project, which was completed in 2022.

The 68-year-old Leiweke could have faced as much as 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine had he been convicted at trial.

In a statement, he thanked the president for his clemency.

“I do not have the words to adequately convey my profound gratitude to President Trump,” he said. “This has been a long and difficult journey for my wife, my daughter, and me. The President has given us a new lease on life with which we will be grateful and good stewards.”

Leiweke’s lawyer, David Gerger, also issued a statement.

“This is the right result, and we are happy for our client and his family,” Gerger said.

After the indictment, Leiweke stepped down as CEO of Oak View Group, the company he co-founded with Irving Azoff a decade ago. He also denied the allegations.

“Mr. Leiweke has done nothing wrong and will vigorously defend himself and his well-deserved reputation for fairness and integrity,” his spokesperson said at the time.

As a result of the Justice Department’s investigation, OVG agreed to pay a $15 million penalty, while the rival bidder, Legends Hospitality, agreed to pay $1.5 million.

Leiweke is a former CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. A New Yorker profile in 2012 dubbed him “The Man Who Owns L.A.,” citing his work developing Staples Center — now Crypto.com Arena — and the L.A. Live entertainment complex in downtown L.A.