Oak View Group (OVG) has named Chris Granger as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
The move follows Granger’s five-month tenure as Interim CEO and marks a significant leadership transition for the company, which has rapidly expanded its global live entertainment footprint in recent years.
Granger previously served as President of OVG360 where he oversaw substantial growth before being elevated to interim CEO in July 2025.
In his new role, he will lead all aspects of OVG’s worldwide operations, including venue development, hospitality, and sponsorship.
“Chris’s performance during his tenure as Interim CEO has been exceptional,” said Lee Wittlinger, Chairman of the OVG Board of Directors.
“He seamlessly stepped into the role during a pivotal time and demonstrated tremendous leadership.”
Lee Wittlinger, OVG Board
He added: “He seamlessly stepped into the role during a pivotal time and demonstrated tremendous leadership. Chris understands the entire ecosystem of sports and live entertainment and the Board is confident that he is the right executive to lead OVG into its next phase of global growth.”
OVG senior partner Irving Azoff commented: “I have known and worked with Chris for nearly 20 years. No one is better for the CEO job. He is uniquely qualified to lead OVG as we continue to build it bigger and better. He shares our passion to deliver for all our clients, fans and artists.”
“We will work tirelessly on behalf of our partners, we will root for one another, and we will lift the communities in which we operate.”
Chris Granger
Granger said he was “honored” to take on the role, noting: “I’d like to thank the Board for their confidence. I am honored to serve in this role and build upon an incredible foundation.”
“I look forward to working with our deep roster of entrepreneurial leaders and talented teammates, across North America and around the world, as we continue to deliver on our mission to disrupt positively and with purpose. We will work tirelessly on behalf of our partners, we will root for one another, and we will lift the communities in which we operate. Let’s go.”
Granger brings more than three decades of experience in sports and entertainment. Before joining OVG in 2021, he was Group President, Sports and Entertainment of the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings and served as President and COO of the Sacramento Kings.
He previously spent 14 years at the NBA, most recently as Executive Vice President of Team Marketing and Business Operations.
“He is uniquely qualified to lead OVG as we continue to build it bigger and better. He shares our passion to deliver for all our clients, fans and artists.”
Irving Azoff, OVG
Granger holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Cornell University and an MBA from Yale University.
The company’s leadership transition followed the departure of former CEO Tim Leiweke, who stepped down earlier this year after being indicted by the US Department of Justice for allegedly rigging the bidding process for an arena at the University of Texas.
US President Donald Trump pardoned Leiweke this week.
Following Trump’s pardon, a spokesperson for Oak View told CNN: “We are happy for Tim that he can now put this matter behind him. OVG has remained steadfastly focused on delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients under the leadership of our CEO Chris Granger.”Music Business Worldwide
