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Seattle NHL expansion group names Tod Leiweke team president

Tim Leiweke, CEO of the Oak View Group, speaks in front of KeyArena during a news conference, Wednesday, June 7, 2017, in Seattle. Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said Wednesday that the city will enter into negotiations with the Oak View Group on a proposal for a privately-financed renovation of the city-owned KeyArena. Plans for the remodel would bring the building up to standards that could attract an NHL or NBA franchise once completed. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Photo: Associated Press/Ted S. Warren

SEATTLE (AP) — The NHL expansion effort in Seattle took another step forward Wednesday, naming Tod Leiweke as the president and CEO for the prospective club.

The move is not a surprise considering his background in the market and his experience with the NHL. Leiweke served as president of the Seattle Seahawks from 2003-10 before taking over running the Tampa Bay Lightning. He left the Lightning in 2015 to become the COO of the NFL, a position he left earlier this year.

Leiweke is the brother of Tim Leiweke, the CEO of Oak View Group. Oak View is heading the redevelopment of KeyArena, which would serve as a home for a new team. The group is seeking to have a team awarded in time to begin play in 2020.

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