Last seen as CEO of Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment, Tim Leiweke is reportedly considering a return to big-league sport.
The Los Angeles-based Oak View Group, which is headed by Leiweke and influential entertainment manager Irving Azoff, is interested in overhauling Seattle’s KeyArena so it can handle NBA or NHL games, reports The Seattle Times.
Founded in November, the Oak View Group took on Madison Square Garden Company as one of its clients and has been in contact with city officials regarding the project, which could help lure an NBA or NHL franchise back to Seattle.
Back in 2014, MSG renovated The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., once home to the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers and the NHL’s Kings, turning a 7,000-seat venue into one capable of handling 17,800.
Writes reporter Geoff Baker in the Times: “Of keen interest to the group, the source said, is that it believes it can make KeyArena a profitable multi-event facility in the event pro teams do not become available. But if the NBA and NHL is interested, the source said, the Oak View Group would want the arena to be convertible for those sports.
“The Mayor’s office is expected to issue a Request for Proposals to renovate the facility by December, according to the city-hall source.”
