09-07-2025
CEO of Oak View Group, which operates Tanger Center & First Horizon Coliseum, indicted for bid rigging in Texas
(WGHP) — The CEO of an entertainment company has been indicted for allegedly rigging bids for an arena at a public university in Texas.
According to the Department of Justice, Timothy J. Leiweke, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oak View Group, has been indicted for 'orchestrating a conspiracy to rig the bidding process for an arena at a public university in Austin, Texas.'
OVG 'develops and provides a variety of services to live entertainment venues,' including running the Steven Tanger Center and the 'Greensboro Complex,' a cluster of event venues once known as Greensboro Coliseum.
OVG took over the venues last year, taking over from the city of Greensboro, which had previously operated the venues.
The indictment alleges that from February 2018 through at least June 2024, Leiweke conspired with a competitor's CEO 'to rig the bidding for the development, management, and use of a multi-purpose arena that was to be located on the campus of a public university in Austin, Texas.'
'Timothy Leiweke allegedly led a scheme designed to steer the contract for entertainment services at a public university's arena to his company. Public contracts are subject to laws requiring an open and competitive bid process to ensure a level playing field,' said Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia of the FBI New York Field Office. 'The FBI is determined to ensure that those who disregard fair competition principles do not benefit from a rigged bidding process targeting our communities and public institutions.'
Leiweke allegedly convinced the CEO of the competitor not to put in a bid on the project in exchange for subcontracts. As a result, OVG was the only qualified bid and won the project.
'The arena opened to the public in April 2022, and OVG continues to receive significant revenues from the project to date,' the DOJ says. 'OVG and Legends Hospitality have agreed to pay $15 million and $1.5 million in penalties, respectively, in connection with the conduct alleged in the indictment against Leiweke.'
A spokesperson for Leiweke provided the following statement, as well:
Mr. Leiweke has done nothing wrong and will vigorously defend himself and his well-deserved reputation for fairness and integrity. The Antitrust Division's allegations are wrong on the law and the facts, and the case should never have been brought. The law is clear: vertical, complementary business partnerships, like the one contemplated between OVG and Legends, are legal. These allegations blatantly ignore established legal precedent and seek to criminalize common teaming efforts that are proven to enhance competition and benefit the public. The Moody Center is a perfect example, as it has resulted in substantial and sustained benefits to the University of Texas and the City of Austin.
Leiweke is charged with a violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act. He faces up to 10 years in prison and $1 million in criminal fines.
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