Confirmed with Link: Tod Leiweke resigns to become NFL's COO | Steve Griggs named new Lightning CEO

[Riverbolt]

Lightning CEO Tod Leiweke [...] resigned on Friday to become the new chief operating officer of the National Football League.

Leiweke was also CEO of Strategic Property Partners, the Vinik real estate company that is guiding the Lightning owner's $1 billion plan to redevelop downtown Tampa.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/busine...eke-steps-down-joins-nfl-front-office/2238610

Click to read more...

 

[Stammer Time*]

From the outside it seemed like this was coming. All throughout the playoffs everytime I saw an interview with someone high up it was either Griggs or Vinik.

 

[Felonious Python]

well, that sucks.

The day after Lou gets hired by the Leafs, I'm sort of hard pressed to be surprised by anything. Leiweke was important, but Vinik's team is strong enough to be able to compensate. I don't have concerns about the hockey side nor Vinik's development at this stage.

 

[ThunderAlleyNomad]

It sucks, but that's a credit to how well he did here. Quite a step up.

 

[dechire]

It sucks, but that's a credit to how well he did here. Quite a step up.

Agreed. I wish him success with his new job. It's unfortunate to lose him but I know the team will be fine

 

[LightningStrikes]

From the NFL (Seahawks) to the Lightning back to the NFL. All the best to him.


Here's the team release: http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=713276

Tampa Bay Lightning Chief Executive Officer Tod Leiweke resigned today to become Chief Operating Officer of the National Football League, Lightning Chairman and Governor Jeff Vinik announced this morning.

Vinik also announced that, effective immediately, Lightning President Steve Griggs has been named the organization’s Chief Executive Officer, reporting directly to Vinik.

Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman will continue to report to Vinik on all hockey operations matters.

 

[Lord Stan 2020]

not surprising hes a burning light in sports and this is a huge move up imho i thought toronto sooner or later somehow with brother or they would do seattle type thing own all teams soccer hockey basketball baseball etc..

so thank you tod you were wonderful and steve griggs is a good man and gl to both of you

no concerns on tampa or on hockey team moving forward hard to not like this deal for tod to me is a nice jump up

 

[Todd1a]

not surprising hes a burning light in sports and this is a huge move up imho i thought toronto sooner or later somehow with brother or they would do seattle type thing own all teams soccer hockey basketball baseball etc..

so thank you tod you were wonderful and steve griggs is a good man and gl to both of you

no concerns on tampa or on hockey team moving forward hard to not like this deal for tod to me is a nice jump up

Ya he will make more money in the nfl then I think in time does something with his brother. I'm still a little surprised I thought he was very involved with viniks downtown project. Not really concerned with the lightning I think Griggs and yzerman run the lightning anyway. I think tod and vinik were doing the downtown thing much more then the lightning.

 

[Coopers Gum]

Ya he will make more money in the nfl then I think in time does something with his brother. I'm still a little surprised I thought he was very involved with viniks downtown project. Not really concerned with the lightning I think Griggs and yzerman run the lightning anyway. I think tod and vinik were doing the downtown thing much more then the lightning.

If you get asked to become the Chief Operations Officer of the biggest sports league in America, when your current position is CEO of a somewhat "fringe" team in one of the smallest leagues in America, you take it every time.

Unless you really love hockey. And hate football. I'd have probably stuck with the Lightning

 

[These Are The Days]

Gotta wonder what that gig pays. To be COO of the NFL.... damn it man that's just "wow." It's a credit to the vision Mr. Vinik has. He hired the eventual COO of the NFL when he first got started here.

Good luck Tod.

 

[Felonious Python]

A bittersweet transition for new Tampa Bay Lightning CEO Steve Griggs

As CEO, Griggs said he will put additional emphasis on youth programs and community outreach — to build a steady fan base, he needs to create a tradition of hockey in a nontraditional market.

http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/print-edition/2015/07/31/a-bittersweet-transition-for-new-lightning-ceo.html?ana=sm_tbay_ucp91&b=1438290807^17809512

 

[Todd1a]

If you get asked to become the Chief Operations Officer of the biggest sports league in America, when your current position is CEO of a somewhat "fringe" team in one of the smallest leagues in America, you take it every time.

Unless you really love hockey. And hate football. I'd have probably stuck with the Lightning

Tod did have ownership stake with the lightning also

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

 

[LightningStrikes]

Tod did have ownership stake with the lightning also

Still has it I would guess.

 

[Todd1a]

Still has it I would guess.

Nope heard after he quit he had to give the shares back. Might have had to in order to work for the nfl.

 

[xteesy]

Nope heard after he quit he had to give the shares back. Might have had to in order to work for the nfl.

Most likely. Don't quote me on this, but I'm almost positive you can't hold ownership in other teams if you're an NFL owner.

Remember reading that when I was at the Dallas stadium (could be completely wrong though).

 

[Hoek]

Most likely. Don't quote me on this, but I'm almost positive you can't hold ownership in other teams if you're an NFL owner.

Remember reading that when I was at the Dallas stadium (could be completely wrong though).

Not true. Kroenke owns the Rams and the Colorado Rapids, Colorado Avalanche, and the Denver Nuggets. The late Lamar Hunt owned the Chiefs and multiple MLS teams. Probably plenty of other examples. The Glazers own Manchester United of course, though that's a foreign team.

Might be different for direct employees of the league.

 

[chasespace]

Most likely. Don't quote me on this, but I'm almost positive you can't hold ownership in other teams if you're an NFL owner.

Remember reading that when I was at the Dallas stadium (could be completely wrong though).

You can, provided they're not a team in a city with an NFL team different than your own.

For instance, Kroenke owns a portion of Arsenal as well as owning the Rams; if a team does move to London he will have to sell his shares of the team(or do what he has done before and move the ownership "title" to his son who "owns" the Nuggets and the Rapids)