Trump-pardoned exec Tim Leiweke invests in Venezia at Drake's behest

Oak View Group co-founder Tim Leiweke, 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, announced on Thursday that he is investing $117.72 million (€100m) in newly promoted Serie A club Venezia.

The former Oak View Group CEO, who 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, became a minority investor in the club at the behest of Canadian rapper Drake, Venezia said in a news release. 

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

"[Venezia] 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," Leiweke said in a statement.

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. 

Venezia said in a news release that Leiweke and Bodie were introduced to the club through 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.

"Tim and Francesca are incredibly good at what they do," Drake said in a statement. "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 was president of the Denver Nuggets from 1991 to 1995. He co-founded Oak View Group in 2015.

"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," he said in the statement. "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."