Photo Credit: Visit Austin
The recent indictment of Tim Leiweke, Co-Founder & CEO of Oak View Group (OVG), has cast a spotlight on the intricate network of organizations and individuals behind Austin’s Moody Center.
As the legal process unfolds, the industry is scrutinizing not just the alleged bid-rigging allegations but also the broader roster of entities that shaped the venue’s development and operations. At the center of the controversy is Oak View Group, the global sports and entertainment company that spearheaded the Moody Center’s development. Timothy Leiweke, recently indicted for allegedly orchestrating a conspiracy to rig the bidding process for the arena at the University of Texas, has stepped down as CEO and moved into a Vice Chairman role—remaining a shareholder.
OVG assumed all risk and reward for building, operating, and booking the venue, a model that allowed the University of Texas to acquire a state-of-the-art arena without direct financial burden. The University of Texas (UT) owns the land and the Moody Center itself, using the venue primarily for men’s and women’s basketball, graduations, and other university events. The deal structure grants UT exclusive control for 60 days each year, while OVG and partners manage the remaining calendar for concerts and other events.
Live Nation Entertainment and its subsidiary C3 Presents are pivotal partners, responsible for bringing top tours and premium live events to the Moody Center. Their involvement ensures the arena’s prominence as a must-play destination for global acts. “The Moody Center will be a must-play arena and we look forward to bringing our concerts and tours there as soon as the doors open in 2022,” said Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino at the time.
Legends Hospitality, co-founded by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, was a direct competitor in the original bidding process. According to the indictment, Leiweke allegedly reached an agreement with Legends to drop its bid in exchange for ‘lucrative considerations’ leading to a $1.5 million penalty for antitrust violations.
Perhaps most interestingly, Academy Award-winning actor and University of Texas alumnus Matthew McConaughey is a prominent face of the Moody Center. Officially titled ‘Minister of Culture,’ McConaughey was deeply involved in design and branding decisions, from suite layouts to color schemes. While McConaughey is routinely listed as a partner, public records do not clarify the extent of his financial stake.
“As a proud alumnus and professor at UT, I’m honored now as Minister of Culture, to convey what a special place the university and the city of Austin are through the design and hospitality of the new Moody Center,” McConaughey shared at the time. “It should be the first place the biggest bands in the world want to play, but the last place a visiting basketball team wants to play.”
The Moody Foundation’s $130 million grant was instrumental in naming and funding the arena, marking one of the largest gifts ever to the University of Texas. Additional partners include CAA ICON (project management), Gensler (architecture), and a roster of founding sponsors and premium service providers.
