The University of South Carolina’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management has announced the creation of the Tim Leiweke Visionary Innovation & Leadership Award, a prestigious new honor recognizing exceptional leadership, innovation and impact in the business world. Named in honor of Tim Leiweke, one of the most respected and influential executives in the global sports and entertainment industry, the award will be presented annually to a distinguished leader who exemplifies ethical leadership, inspires others and advances their field and society through transformative vision.

Leiweke, co-founder and Chairman & CEO of Oak View Group, was the inaugural recipient of the award during the college’s Degrees of Excellence ceremony on May 9. He addressed the graduating class after being presented with the award and has accepted a formal appointment as executive in residence with the university’s Department of Sport and Entertainment Management.

“My career in sports and live entertainment has been such privilege and I’m extremely proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish at Oak View Group so far,” said Leiweke. “It is an honor to have an award presented in my name, especially one centered around things I value deeply- innovation, leadership, and positive disruption. I am humbled by the opportunity and thank the University of South Carolina for recognizing the importance of these values and seeking to instill them in college students today.”  

Known for developing world-class sports and entertainment venues and rethinking the entire fan experience, Leiweke has helped shape iconic projects including Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena and New York’s UBS Arena through his leadership at Oak View Group. His four-decade career includes serving as CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and president and CEO of AEG, where he oversaw the development of the Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena) and the L.A. Live entertainment district. His impact has extended far beyond the business of venues with work that has emphasized enhancing hospitality, fan experiences, building partnerships and driving sustainability throughout the industry.

“Tim Leiweke’s visionary leadership and transformative impact on the sports and entertainment industry are exactly why we created this award in his honor,” said Michael Sagas, dean of the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management. “His commitment to innovation, ethical leadership and positive disruption aligns perfectly with the values we strive to instill in our students. We are proud to establish this recognition to inspire future industry leaders to follow Tim’s example of reimagining what’s possible while staying grounded in a commitment to excellence.”

Future recipients of the Tim Leiweke Visionary Innovation & Leadership Award will reflect the same values that have defined Leiweke’s career — integrity, collaboration and a commitment to positive change. In doing so, the award aims to:

• Inspire future leaders by showcasing the traits that define excellence in leadership.
• Promote ethical leadership grounded in transparency, responsibility and purpose.
• Foster community impact through recognition of service-minded changemakers.
• Build bridges between the university and leaders across industries to expand collaboration and mentorship opportunities.