Tim Leiweke new CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment

Tim Leiweke, who most recently ran the company that owns the Los Angeles Kings and Los Angeles Galaxy, is headed to Toronto as the new president and CEO of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment.

It was announced Friday that, effective June 30, Leiweke will become president and CEO ofMLSE.

MLSE owns the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC and Toronto Marlies. The company also owns Leafs TV and the Air Canada Centre, among other properties.

"Tim Leiweke is one of the top sports executives in the world, renowned for his ability to build championship teams, premier entertainment events, and innovative brand and marketing opportunities,"MLSE chairman LarryTanenbaum said in a statement.

"Tim is a leader who understands what fans want and what it takes to build winners. With his deep leadership experience and unparalleled success at the highest levels of professional sports, Tim's the right CEO at the right time to lead the transformation of MLSE."

Leiweke was most recently head of Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), the owner of several sports teams and buildings. AEG also had a stake in the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Dynamo of MLS, owned the Staples Center and Home Depot Center in California, andoperated a number of buildings around the world, including London's O2 Arena.

In addition to sports, AEG was heavily involved in several music and entertainment businesses.

Leiweke left the organization in March. At the same time, it was announced that AEG was no longer up for sale. The shakeup left in doubt the plans to bring an NFL stadium to Los Angeles, a project that Leiweke had helped spearhead.

Leiweke previously worked forU.S. Skiing, the Denver Nuggets, and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

"My family and I eagerly look forward to becoming part of the community in Toronto, one of the great cities of the world, and to joining the passionate and dedicated fans of the Maple Leafs, the Raptors, Toronto FC and the Marlies," said Mr. Leiweke.

Tom Anselmi remains as chief operating officer of MLSE, Tanenbaum said in Friday's release.