NFL COO resigns, reportedly expected to join Seattle's potential NHL team
A significant shakeup in the football world will apparently have ramifications in hockey.
Tod Leiweke is leaving his post as NFL chief operating officer after three seasons in the role, commissioner Roger Goodell revealed in a letter to team executives Tuesday, as shared by ESPN's Adam Schefter.
He will be succeeded by Maryann Turcke, the president of NFL Media.
Leiweke, the brother of former MLSE president and CEO Tim Leiweke, is expected to join the Oak View Group in a top executive position, Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times reports.
OVG is overseeing the renovation of Seattle's KeyArena and is seeking to bring an NHL franchise to the city. Tim Leiweke is the group's CEO.
Tod Leiweke was touted as a possible successor to Goodell, according to Baker, but the commissioner recently inked a five-year extension. Leiweke has experience in the NHL, having spent five years as CEO of the Tampa Bay Lightning before joining the NFL head office.
He served as CEO of the Seattle Seahawks from 2003-10.
The NHL hasn't officially awarded Seattle an expansion franchise, but OVG and its partners, including legendary Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer and investment company billionaire David Bonderman, began a season-ticket drive on March 1, securing 10,000 deposits in the first 12 minutes.