Trump pardons former top Toronto Maple Leafs and Raptors exec

A former top boss at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment exec appears to be off the hook from potential legal trouble after a pardon from Donald Trump.

Tim Leiweke, the former MLSE CEO and president from 2013 to 2015, was pardoned by the American president on charges related to "conspiracy to restrain trade."

Leiweke, who also worked with the Los Angeles Kings’ parent company AEG Entertainment Group, was working for his own company Oak View Group before stepping down as a result of the charges. Oak View Group manages Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, home to the NHL's Seattle Kraken. 

The former Toronto sports exec was originally indicted on charges for allegedly orchestrating a conspiracy along with an executive from Legends Hospitality to rig the bidding process for the Moody Center Arena on the University of Texas grounds.

There were no additional details given for the reason of the pardon, which was originally sent by U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas this past July.

Leiweke had been facing maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a US$1-million fine, as per The Associated Press.

Why did Leiweke leave MLSE?

Initially signing a five-year deal to take the top job in Toronto, Leiweke quickly flipped his mind on that proposition.

Leiweke had been on the job for just over a year before announcing his departure in August 2024, sticking on until the following June.

"With new opportunities on the horizon, it's time for me to begin the transition from sports and entertainment executive to entrepreneur," Leiweke wrote in a statement at the time, with the new opportunity eventually becoming his formation of Oak View Group.