OVG vows to remain key player in Hamilton’s TD Coliseum after CEO resigns

The co-operator of Hamilton’s upcoming TD Coliseum vows to remain a key player in the entertainment business following news of its founder being indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The former CEO of Oak View Group (OVG), Tim Leiweke announced his role change Wednesday, while he fights allegations of rigging a bidding process for another arena project in Texas.

A monumental renovation and a big-league, sponsor name are making dreams into a reality in downtown Hamilton.

Construction work at the newly renamed coliseum continued Thursday, following the resignation and antitrust accusations of one of the operators, OVG.

“It’s business as usual for the TD Coliseum/Hamilton Arena project,” said Lieweke’s partner in Hamilton, PJ Mercanti. “We have been informed by partners at OVG that there are no impacts to construction timelines.”

While everything appears to be on schedule in downtown Hamilton, Lieweke, a key player in the new TD Coliseum and someone who is known for his business dealings in venue development, is now at the center of an indictment over a project in Austin, Texas.

The former head of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment bowed out as the CEO of OVG, and will sit as the board’s vice-chair after the U.S. Department of Justice indicted Leiweke for what they call, “a scheme to rig the bidding process at a public arena at the University of Texas.”

According to the indictment filed by the department, Lieweke was behind a plan to get a rival to not bid on an arena contract in exchange for gaining sub-contracts.

OVG itself had already paid a $15 million fine, but a spokesperson for Lieweke told CHCH News, “Mr. Leiweke has done nothing wrong, and will vigorously defend himself.”

“These allegations blatantly ignore established legal precedent, and seek to criminalize common teaming efforts that are proven to enhance competition, and benefit the public,” said the spokesperson.

“At this point, these are just charges, nothing more than that,” said Moshe Lander, a sports economist with Concordia University. “I will hold judgement, but if you’re asking me if I’m surprised: no, I’m not surprised when people at that level are charged with something like that, it’s almost a surprise if you weren’t.”

Lander said he expects OVG to maintain its footprint in the billion-dollar business of sports and music venues. Lander believes if cleared, Lieweke will still be an influence.

“You’re merely no longer the figurehead on top of the webpage, but behind the scenes, you’re still the person who put all those people in the corporate suites, and no matter who is the interim chair, until this settles out, it’s your handpick successor – your paw prints can still be all over this,” said Lander.

If found guilty, the charge could come with a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, and a $1 million USD fine.

As for the Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group, they’re moving ahead full-steam with OVG, adding that it is also launching an entertainment district business improvement area initiative.

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