National Football League

Leiweke leaving Seahawks to become owner of NHL's Lightning

Published Jul. 26, 2010 7:57 p.m. ET

foxsports

Tod Leiweke resigned as CEO of Vulcan Sports and Entertainment on Monday, leaving the arm that oversees ownership of the Seattle Seahawks, Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle Sounders FC just days before the Seahawks begin training camp.

In a statement released by Vulcan, Leiweke says he's leaving after seven years overseeing the professional sports teams Paul Allen owns to become CEO and part owner of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning.

''Paul Allen is the most fan-friendly owner in professional sports. He has built great sports franchises that have always given much back to the community,'' Leiweke said in the statement. ''We have strong management and coaching in place in Seattle and Portland, and I know the teams are in good hands.''

Leiweke plans to stay with Vulcan until his replacement is found, then take over running the day-to-day operations of the NHL franchise recently purchased by Jeff Vinik.

''I'm sorry to see him go, but I know hockey is his first love,'' Allen said.

Leiweke came to the Seahawks in 2003 and helped steer the franchise during the best run in its history. Seattle won four straight NFC West titles and made the playoffs in each of the first five season with Leiweke overseeing the team. The high point came in 2005 when Seattle won its first conference championship and played in the first Super Bowl in franchise history.

Leiweke was named CEO of Vulcan Sports and Entertainment in 2007, overseeing operation of the Trail Blazers and leading the startup of the Sounders that culminated in their highly successful first year in 2009.

His final major task with the Seahawks was being at the point of negotiations with Pete Carroll, who became the Seahawks coach in January.

''Tod has been a leader for our sports teams. He helped lead the Seahawks to the 2005 NFC Championship and our first Super Bowl,'' Allen said. ''He also understands our priority on the fans, reinvigorating the 12th Man tradition and leading the team to a five-season string of sellout crowds.''

Before joining the Seahawks, Leiweke worked for the Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks in the NHL. His brother, Tim Leiweke, is the president and CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns the Los Angeles Kings and Los Angeles Galaxy.