President Donald Trump has granted a full pardon to Timothy Leiweke, the former CEO of the Oak View Group (OVG) and developer of the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. This decision follows Leiweke’s indictment earlier this summer on allegations of manipulating the contract bidding process for the multi-purpose venue located on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin.
In July 2025, Leiweke was charged by the U.S. Justice Department, accused of attempting to prevent a competitor from bidding on the Moody Center’s construction. The indictment detailed that in 2017, Leiweke expressed interest in dissuading a competitor from submitting a bid by discussing potential subcontracts. It is alleged that in early 2018, he offered subcontracts to the competing CEO in return for not entering a separate bid for the arena’s development.
The Moody Center officially opened its doors in spring 2022, with Leiweke’s company securing the development contract. As of July 2025, the Justice Department indicated that the OVG “continues to receive significant revenues from the project to date.” If convicted, Leiweke faced the possibility of a $1 million fine and up to 10 years in prison. Additionally, OVG was subjected to a $15 million penalty, and Leiweke’s position changed from CEO to vice chairman of the Board of Directors following the allegations.
Details of the Indictment
Prosecutors accused Leiweke of undermining fair competition, charging him with violating Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act, which prohibits actions that harm competitive practices. The indictment highlighted that his actions were designed to ensure an unfair advantage in securing the Moody Center contract.
Leiweke’s professional background includes a decade-long tenure as CEO of OVG from 2015 until the summer of 2025. The company specializes in “venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry,” as stated on its website. Prior to OVG, he served as president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment in Canada from 2013 to 2015. Furthermore, he held the same position at the Anschutz Entertainment Group, a company that manages sports events and franchises, including the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings. Leiweke was also instrumental in the development of the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, which hosts teams such as the Seattle Kraken.
The granting of the pardon raises questions about the implications for both Leiweke and OVG moving forward. The decision underscores the complex interplay between business practices and legal frameworks in the competitive development of sports venues. As the OVG continues to thrive, the aftermath of this legal battle will likely influence future contracting and bidding processes within the industry.
