Chris Granger in OVG driver’s seat

Article posted by Coliseum, December 12^th, 2025

Image: Oak View Group

The Oak View Group (OVG), the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services including venue development, venue management, hospitality, and sponsorship sales, recently announced that the Board of Directors has named Chris Granger as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Oak View Group (OVG) effective immediately.

‘yahoo!finance’ stated that Granger had served as the Interim CEO since July 2025. Prior to his appointment as the Interim CEO Granger had presided over tremendous growth in his prior role as President, OVG360. As CEO, Granger will lead all aspects of OVG’s global businesses.

Oak View Group, LLC (OVG) is an American professional sports and commercial real estate company based in Denver (US). It manages several sports venues including the 18,300-capacity Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle which was constructed under the company’s supervision. OVG was formed in 2015 by Tim Leiweke and his business partner Irving Azoff.

OVG360 is the full-service venue management division of Oak View Group (OVG) providing comprehensive operational, sales, marketing, and event programing support for sports arenas, stadiums, convention centers, performing arts venues, and more, aiming to deliver innovative, sustainable and memorable experiences through services like food and beverage (F&B), public safety, technology, and booking.

Observed Lee Wittlinger, Chairman, OVG Board of Directors, “Chris’s performance during his tenure as Interim CEO has been exceptional. He seamlessly stepped into the role during a pivotal time and demonstrated tremendous leadership. Chris understands the entire ecosystem of sports and live entertainment and the Board is confident that he is the right executive to lead OVG into its next phase of global growth.”

Commented Irving Azoff, OVG Senior Partner, “I have known and worked with Chris for nearly 20 years. No one is better for the CEO job. He is uniquely qualified to lead OVG as we continue to build it bigger and better. He shares our passion to deliver for all our clients, fans and artistes.”

Stated Granger, “I would like to thank the Board for their confidence. I am honored to serve in this role and build upon an incredible foundation. I look forward to working with our deep roster of entrepreneurial leaders and talented teammates across North America and around the world as we continue to deliver on our mission to disrupt positively and with purpose. We will work tirelessly on behalf of our partners, we will root for one another and we will lift the communities in which we operate. Let’s go.”

‘yahoo!finance’ further stated that Granger has more than 30 years of experience in the sports and entertainment industry. Prior to joining OVG360 in 2021, Granger was Group President, Sports and Entertainment of the Major League Baseball (MLB) team Detroit Tigers and the National Hockey League (NHL) team Detroit Red Wings and President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the National Basketball Association (NBA) team Sacramento Kings. He also spent 14 years in increasingly senior roles with the National Basketball Association including as the Executive Vice-President of Team Marketing and Business Operations.

Granger began his career at Walt Disney World and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the Cornell University (private university in Ithaca, New York) and an MBA from Yale University’s School of Management (business school in New Haven, Connecticut, US).

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