Features
Stephen Collins Joining Oak View Group As Chief Operating Officer
– Stephen Collins
Stephen Collins, chief operating officer of the new Chase Center in San Francisco, will also be the COO of Oak View Group come July 2019.
An announcement about his new position notes that Collins will join Oak View Group following the completion of the Golden State Warriors’ sports and entertainment complex in San Francisco’s Mission Bay, which will be ready to open its doors in time for the start of the 2019-20 NBA season.
As COO of Oak View Group (parent company of Pollstar), Collins will be responsible for overseeing the construction of and completion of OVG’s Arena Alliance projects. He will also join the executive management team and help oversee the company’s divisions focused on arena and facility management, including Prevent Advisors, Global Partnerships, OVG Facility Management, Media and Conferences. Collins will work with Francesca Bodie, President – Business Development of OVG, to explore new divisions and services on behalf of OVG, providing opportunities for both its own facilities as well as the facility industry.
“We are fortunate to bring someone on board with Steve’s knowledge and experience,” Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke said in a statement. “He is working on one of the most important and impactful arena developments ever with Chase Center. Our partnership, respect and deep relationship with the Warriors organization creates a seamless transition next year, allowing Steve to finish his work with Chase Center and then bring that experience and knowledge to OVG’s Arena projects. We are excited to be a part of Chase Center and the Warriors family and to be sharing Steve and his leadership and vision.”
Rick Welts, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Warriors, added, “Steve has been instrumental in designing and building what we believe will be the best sports and entertainment venue in the world located in one of the world’s most vibrant markets,” said Rick Welts, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Warriors. “We are very happy for Steve that he will be transitioning into a key role with our partner, OVG, this summer, and are grateful for all his ongoing contributions to Chase Center.”
Oak View Group’s ownership group includes Leiweke and longtime music executive Irving Azoff, along with partners Silver Lake, a private equity firm.
The company’s projects include the $850 million rebuild of KeyArena at Seattle Center along with the 32nd expansion franchise of the NHL, and a new $800 million arena in New York in conjunction with the New York Islanders.
Other new hirings from Oak View Group this year include Hank Abate as OVG Facilities President and Aki Kaneko as VP of Sales and Sponsorships.