Hamilton TD Coliseum connection: Oak View Group CEO demoted after bid-rigging indictment

The CEO of Oak Park Group (OVG), the company behind the multi-million dollar renovation of the newly named TD Coliseum in downtown Hamilton, will “transition from his position” to Vice Chairman of OVG’s Board of Directors.

The President of OVG360, Chris Granger was appointed by the Board of Directors to step in as interim CEO.

This comes after the U.S. Justice Department has charged Tim Leiweke, the former CEO in connection to what they call a scheme to rig the bidding process at a public arena in Texas.

The indictment states he was behind a plan to get a rival to not bid on an arena contract in Texas in exchange for gaining sub-contracts.

WATCH MORE: New look, new name: Hamilton Arena officially renamed ‘TD Coliseum’

Leiweke ended up landing the Texas arena deal after convincing his competitor not to bid.

In 2023 Oak Park Group signed a deal with the City of Hamilton and the Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group to refurbish the downtown arena.

The indictment says Leiweke was charged under Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act which could come with a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and $1,000,000 USD in fines.

The arena opened to the public in 2022 and has earned significant revenues for the OVG.

The Oak View Group has agreed to pay $15,000,000 USD in penalties in connection to the indictment.

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