Former OVG boss Tim Leiweke joins Venezia ownership group

Article posted by Coliseum, May 11^th, 2026

Image: Populous

Oak View Group co-founder Tim Leiweke has joined the Venezia ownership group investing more than $117 million in the newly promoted Italian Serie A football club.

ESPN said the former Oak View Group CEO, who was criminally indicted by U.S. President Donald Trump’s Justice Department in 2025 for alleged stadium bid rigging and pardoned that same year by Trump, has become a minority investor in the club.

Leiweke was indicted by a federal grand jury last July for alleged bid-rigging in the build of the Moody Center at the University of Texas in Austin.

But he has now became a minority investor in Venezia at the behest of Canadian rapper Drake, the club said.

Leiweke was appointed co-chairman of Venezia’s operating committee, while Francesca Bodie, his daughter, was named ⁠club president.

Leiweke and Bodie joined the Venezia ownership group after they were introduced to the club through noted musician and Venezia co-owner Drake who worked with them during their time at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, owner of the Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC, and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Drake said, “Tim and Francesca are incredibly good at what they do. They know what success looks like and how to build it. We’ve done it before, and I’m excited to bring that energy to Venice.”

Leiweke said, “VFC is an iconic team with a century-old history in the world’s most beautiful city, and we will be relentless in our pursuit of excellence and victories to enhance the ⁠legacy of this storied club.”

Venezia FC (VFC) is the professional football club of Venice, Italy. It is an iconic club known for its focus on sporting excellence and integrity combined with its mission on social responsibility, community development, art, and the preservation of Venice.

Located on the lagoon island of Sant’Elena, the historic club plays at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo, Italy’s second oldest stadium, adjacent to the grounds of the Venice Biennale.

As part of the deal with the new ownership group, Bodie will succeed Duncan Niederauer as President. Niederauer will retain a small minority stake in VFC’s ownership group.

Bodie said, “We invested because we love this city and its people and believe in the soul of this historic club.

“We are committed to honoring VFC’s deep history and distinct identity and executing a vision that will make us one of the country’s most competitive teams. VFC’s fans deserve continued success on and off the pitch and our mission is to ensure VFC reaches and cements its position as a force in Serie A.

“I am personally honored to work alongside Filippo Antonelli, other VFC leaders, and the VFC OpCo to continue to build a team that matches the greatness of this city.”

Drake became an investor in Venezia in 2024, alongside a group of international investors, which included global sports-focused firm APEX Capital.

Prior to the indictment over the 2017 Moody Center bid, Leiweke held senior leadership positions with Anschutz Entertainment Group, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and Oak View Group.

As CEO of Oak View Group, Leiweke also managed venues such as Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena and UBS Arena in New York.

Leiweke was president of the Denver Nuggets from 1991 to 1995. He co-founded Oak View Group in 2015.

He said, “Having transformed the LA Galaxy and Toronto FC into champions and built premier ⁠sporting stadiums, we know what it takes to engineer a culture of winning and deliver fan-first experiences.

“We are bringing ⁠that same expertise to Venice to ensure VFC’s incredible fans have a world-class home and are a permanent fixture in Serie A.”

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