Tod Leiweke, the chief executive who helped build the Tampa Bay Lightning into a Stanley Cup contender, has resigned to become chief operating officer of the National Football League.
Lightning owner Jeff Vinik, who announced Leiweke’s departure Friday, appointed team president Steve Griggs to replace Leiweke as CEO.
Leiweke, who came to Tampa Bay five years when Vinik purchased the team, has also been involved with Vinik’s Strategic Property Partners, the company behind a $1 billion redevelopment in downtown Tampa’s Channel District.
“Tod has been instrumental in our franchise transformation and I am grateful for all his work and dedication,” Vinik said in a statement.