Developer Oak View Group of Los Angeles is sticking with billionaire partner David Bonderman despite his resignation from Uber's board of directors over his sexist comments about women.
OVG founder and CEO Tim Leiweke said in a statement that Bonderman did the right thing by immediately taking responsibility for his remarks and sent a strong message by resigning from the Uber board. Leiweke added that Bonderman's comments "do not represent him, his beliefs or the views of the Oak View Group."
"He has acknowledged that, even though the comments were misunderstood, their impact was clear and he needed to hold himself to the same standards being asked of the company (Uber)."
Bonderman, at an Uber staff meeting Tuesday, addressed allegations of sexism and harassment at the company. During the meeting, Uber's lone female board member, Ariana Huffington, told employees: "There's a lot of data that shows when there's one woman on the board, it's a lot more likely there will be a second woman on the board."
At which point, Bonderman interjected: "Actually, what it shows is that it's much more likely to be more talking."
Several staffers complained after the meeting and audio of the comments soon appeared online. Bonderman apologized shortly after and later resigned from Uber's board, saying the company didn't need the distraction.
Last week, OVG announced that Bonderman and Hollywood movie producer Jerry Bruckheimer had joined their Seattle KeyArena renovation effort and would seek to bring an NHL team to the venue. Mayor Ed Murray had confirmed that OVG and its $564 million proposal had been selected over a rival $521 million bid by Seattle Partners_which dropped out of the competition before a winner could be announced.
Investment banker Bonderman, a University of Washington graduate, has amassed a net worth that Forbes estimates at $2.5 billion through his TPG Capital firm. He is also a minority owner of the Boston Celtics.
