Granger Named CEO Of OVG Facilities
• Oak View Group (OVG), the global venue development, advisory, and investment company for the sports and live entertainment industries, announced that Chris Granger has joined the company to lead OVG Facilities as its CEO. Based in Detroit, Granger will report to Tim Leiweke, CEO of Oak View Group and oversee OVG Facilities, OVG Media & Conferences, and the OVG Arena Alliance, a collection of the top 32 venues in North America.
Leiweke commented, “As we grow as a company, there are priorities that we have set to guide that growth. First, character, in all aspects of our organization. Second, a commitment to lead the industry and change the conversation. Third, to not operate in fear. What I admire most about Chris is he is a living example of all three. Anyone and everyone that has worked with him knows he is a class act and leads by example. In addition, he is like us, dreaming for what we could be as an industry and thinking outside the box. And finally, he believes that this is the time for us to be bold, to be entrepreneurial, and to grow this industry. All of us at OVG, our facilities, and our fans, are looking forward to Chris’ leadership.”
Granger has served as Group President of Sports & Entertainment for Ilitch Holdings since 2017, and was responsible for the business operations for the Detroit Tigers and Red Wings, the company’s joint venture interest in 313 Presents, and the operations of Little Caesars Arena, Comerica Park, the historic Fox Theater, DTE Energy Music Theater, Meadow Brook Amphitheater, and Michigan Lottery Amphitheater at Freedom Hill. Granger previously served as President of the Sacramento Kings and Sacramento Basketball Holdings, LLC and spent 14 years in various capacities with the NBA.
“I’m excited and humbled to join Tim Leiweke, Irving Azoff, and the incredibly talented team at Oak View Group,” Granger said. “Venues, arenas, and stadiums increasingly play an irreplaceable role in society. They bring diverse people together to cheer, to sing, to vote, to protest, and to celebrate. Further, we are seeing facilities lead the way in areas of public health, public safety, and sustainability. I look forward to contributing to the OVG vision of making a positive contribution to the world through our venues. I can’t wait to get started.”
Granger’s appointment comes on the heels of OVG’s announcement earlier this week to merge with Spectra, one of the industry’s leading food and beverage and hospitality providers, to create a leading full-service live events company. [Photo credit: Rob Kohn]
