Tim Leiweke has been appointed president and chief executive officer of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. He will officially take over the post on June 30.
Leiweke is leaving a similar posting with Anschutz Entertainment Group to take the role. AEG owns the Los Angeles Kings, and holds a stake in the Lakers.
“I’m honoured and excited to be chosen to lead MLSE, a world-class sports and entertainment organization with the major league teams, premier facilities and employee team that rank with the very best across North America and internationally,” Leiweke said in a press release. “MLSE is woven into the character of Toronto. The loyal and passionate fans of MLSE’s teams want sports championships for this great city. They want excitement on the ice, on the court, on the pitch and on the stage. And they want MLSE to be an active part of their community. I am committed to delivering for them when I begin my new role as CEO of MLSE.”
Before moving to Los Angeles to join the Kings as President in 1996 (becoming President and CEO of AEG Worldwide in 2001), he served as president and CEO of U.S. Skiing. Leiweke has also worked with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets.
“Tim Leiweke is one of the top sports executives in the world, renowned for his ability to build championship teams, premier entertainment events, and innovative brand and marketing opportunities,” MLSE chairman Larry Tannenbaum said. “Tim is a leader who understands what fans want and what it takes to build winners. With his deep leadership experience and unparalleled success at the highest levels of professional sports, Tim’s the right CEO at the right time to lead the transformation of MLSE.”
