Ownership Talk

[Klomp]

When the two take over control of the teams, they are expected to be aggressive out of the gates. In addition to using the last year to prepare themselves financially for the transition, they have been working on plans for a new arena to replace Target Center, the second-oldest building in the league. Keeping the team in Minnesota, they have said numerous times, is their plan.

They also will have to address president of basketball operations Tim Connelly’s contract situation. Last summer, Connelly pushed back the option he had on his contract for one year so he could see how the ownership struggle played out. Lore and Rodriguez were on the front end of recruiting Connelly away from Denver, making him a lucrative offer that Taylor ultimately signed off on to land him.

Connelly has built a team that went to the Western Conference finals last season and has the looks of a team that is rounding into form just as the playoffs approach this year. Keeping him in Minnesota will be a top priority.

Lore and Rodriguez also were in agreement with Taylor on extending coach Chris Finch’s contract during last season’s playoff run, so there are no immediate major changes in the basketball department expected when they do get the keys to the car.

“Not only are we in strong shape, but we cannot wait to get this thing closed,” Rodriguez told The Athletic in March 2024. “We want to keep the team in Minnesota, we want to build an arena, and we want to have a championship competitive team for years to come. And we want to own this asset for the next 50 or 60 years. This is not a short-term thing for us.”

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6129711/2025/04/04/timberwolves-lynx-ownership-alex-rodriguez-glen-taylor/

[karch34]

Bye, worst owner in pro sports. Welcome back, KG!

Get over yourself you ungrateful clown

Lol. Might not be the worst but did a lot of bad, despite best intentions. Appreciate him keeping team in MN as we all should but the list of WTF is crazy.

[karch34]

When the two take over control of the teams, they are expected to be aggressive out of the gates. In addition to using the last year to prepare themselves financially for the transition, they have been working on plans for a new arena to replace Target Center, the second-oldest building in the league. Keeping the team in Minnesota, they have said numerous times, is their plan.

They also will have to address president of basketball operations Tim Connelly’s contract situation. Last summer, Connelly pushed back the option he had on his contract for one year so he could see how the ownership struggle played out. Lore and Rodriguez were on the front end of recruiting Connelly away from Denver, making him a lucrative offer that Taylor ultimately signed off on to land him.

Connelly has built a team that went to the Western Conference finals last season and has the looks of a team that is rounding into form just as the playoffs approach this year. Keeping him in Minnesota will be a top priority.

Lore and Rodriguez also were in agreement with Taylor on extending coach Chris Finch’s contract during last season’s playoff run, so there are no immediate major changes in the basketball department expected when they do get the keys to the car.

“Not only are we in strong shape, but we cannot wait to get this thing closed,” Rodriguez told The Athletic in March 2024. “We want to keep the team in Minnesota, we want to build an arena, and we want to have a championship competitive team for years to come. And we want to own this asset for the next 50 or 60 years. This is not a short-term thing for us.”

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6129711/2025/04/04/timberwolves-lynx-ownership-alex-rodriguez-glen-taylor/

What's the local buzz on stadium? Had heard some speculation looking to leverage area in Eagan by Vikings complex. Bloomberg and Wilf relationship mentioned. Think it was Dane Moore awhile back.

[frankenwolf]

When the two take over control of the teams, they are expected to be aggressive out of the gates. In addition to using the last year to prepare themselves financially for the transition, they have been working on plans for a new arena to replace Target Center, the second-oldest building in the league. Keeping the team in Minnesota, they have said numerous times, is their plan.

They also will have to address president of basketball operations Tim Connelly’s contract situation. Last summer, Connelly pushed back the option he had on his contract for one year so he could see how the ownership struggle played out. Lore and Rodriguez were on the front end of recruiting Connelly away from Denver, making him a lucrative offer that Taylor ultimately signed off on to land him.

Connelly has built a team that went to the Western Conference finals last season and has the looks of a team that is rounding into form just as the playoffs approach this year. Keeping him in Minnesota will be a top priority.

Lore and Rodriguez also were in agreement with Taylor on extending coach Chris Finch’s contract during last season’s playoff run, so there are no immediate major changes in the basketball department expected when they do get the keys to the car.

“Not only are we in strong shape, but we cannot wait to get this thing closed,” Rodriguez told The Athletic in March 2024. “We want to keep the team in Minnesota, we want to build an arena, and we want to have a championship competitive team for years to come. And we want to own this asset for the next 50 or 60 years. This is not a short-term thing for us.”

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6129711/2025/04/04/timberwolves-lynx-ownership-alex-rodriguez-glen-taylor/

What's the local buzz on stadium? Had heard some speculation looking to leverage area in Eagan by Vikings complex. Bloomberg and Wilf relationship mentioned. Think it was Dane Moore awhile back.

IDK, I think they tear down Target and rebuild right on the site. While that is going on, they will play in US Bank stadium

[younggunsmn]

I should have realized Glen would throw up the white flag when it came down to paying his share of the 90+ million $ luxury tax bill in order to keep fighting.
Classic Glen.

[Guest84]

Idk how many of you recall this but I just came across a snippet of the interview Dane Moore did with ARod a while back. Alex mentioned that Glen was against the Rudy trade and advised not to do it. I missed that and thought it was interesting.

[TimberKat]

Idk how many of you recall this but I just came across a snippet of the interview Dane Moore did with ARod a while back. Alex mentioned that Glen was against the Rudy trade and advised not to do it. I missed that and thought it was interesting.

Yes, that was the case. It also mentioned something along the line of for "basketball / on court " reasons and not motivated by financial reasons.

[shrink]

Idk how many of you recall this but I just came across a snippet of the interview Dane Moore did with ARod a while back. Alex mentioned that Glen was against the Rudy trade and advised not to do it. I missed that and thought it was interesting.

Glen thought we paid too much in trade assets, which was (is?) a widely-held opinion.

But this incident made me (and maybe Tim Connelly), respect Taylor more. He didn’t like the trade, but he let Connelly do it anyway. Trusting basketball people to make basketball decisions. Moreover, this trade was going to cost him a lot of money. I imagine when Connelly would go to the cheap Kronke’s on a deal like this, he’d get laughed out of the office.

[frankenwolf]

Idk how many of you recall this but I just came across a snippet of the interview Dane Moore did with ARod a while back. Alex mentioned that Glen was against the Rudy trade and advised not to do it. I missed that and thought it was interesting.

Glen thought we paid too much in trade assets, which was (is?) a widely-held opinion.

But this incident made me (and maybe Tim Connelly), respect Taylor more. He didn’t like the trade, but he let Connelly do it anyway. Trusting basketball people to make basketball decisions. Moreover, this trade was going to cost him a lot of money. I imagine when Connelly would go to the cheap Kronke’s on a deal like this, he’d get laughed out of the office.

If only he had hired good basketball people to begin with, he wouldn't be so villainized and the Wolves might have been a decent team for longer than those few years of KG. Of course, if my memory serves me correctly, he didn't want to bring in TC to begin with. I've not had a problem with Glen spending money, as long as he thought it was worth it. Hell, the money he gave KG broke the league and they had to rewrite the CBA/salary rules because of it.

[shrink]

Idk how many of you recall this but I just came across a snippet of the interview Dane Moore did with ARod a while back. Alex mentioned that Glen was against the Rudy trade and advised not to do it. I missed that and thought it was interesting.

Glen thought we paid too much in trade assets, which was (is?) a widely-held opinion.

But this incident made me (and maybe Tim Connelly), respect Taylor more. He didn’t like the trade, but he let Connelly do it anyway. Trusting basketball people to make basketball decisions. Moreover, this trade was going to cost him a lot of money. I imagine when Connelly would go to the cheap Kronke’s on a deal like this, he’d get laughed out of the office.

If only he had hired good basketball people to begin with, he wouldn't be so villainized and the Wolves might have been a decent team for longer than those few years of KG. Of course, if my memory serves me correctly, he didn't want to bring in TC to begin with. I've not had a problem with Glen spending money, as long as he thought it was worth it. Hell, the money he gave KG broke the league and they had to rewrite the CBA/salary rules because of it.

Exactly right. Stepping back and empowering the basketball people only works if you hired the RIGHT basketball people! If you hire David Kahn, and empowered David Kahn kills your organization. I was happy to hear Taylor had removed himself from the hiring process back in 2019, when he hired a search committee to replace Thibodeau with Gersson Rosas.

Taylor wasn’t opposed to Tim Connelly, in fact, he respected him so much that when ARod and Lore asked if they could approach him, Glen famously said,”People like him don’t come to Minnesota.”

[Klomp]

Taylor wasn’t opposed to Tim Connelly, in fact, he respected him so much that when ARod and Lore asked if they could approach him, Glen famously said,”People like him don’t come to Minnesota.”

I'm trying to remember, was that similar to his reasoning for his initial hesitance to the Gobert trade?

[wco81]

When the two take over control of the teams, they are expected to be aggressive out of the gates. In addition to using the last year to prepare themselves financially for the transition, they have been working on plans for a new arena to replace Target Center, the second-oldest building in the league. Keeping the team in Minnesota, they have said numerous times, is their plan.

They also will have to address president of basketball operations Tim Connelly’s contract situation. Last summer, Connelly pushed back the option he had on his contract for one year so he could see how the ownership struggle played out. Lore and Rodriguez were on the front end of recruiting Connelly away from Denver, making him a lucrative offer that Taylor ultimately signed off on to land him.

Connelly has built a team that went to the Western Conference finals last season and has the looks of a team that is rounding into form just as the playoffs approach this year. Keeping him in Minnesota will be a top priority.

Lore and Rodriguez also were in agreement with Taylor on extending coach Chris Finch’s contract during last season’s playoff run, so there are no immediate major changes in the basketball department expected when they do get the keys to the car.

“Not only are we in strong shape, but we cannot wait to get this thing closed,” Rodriguez told The Athletic in March 2024. “We want to keep the team in Minnesota, we want to build an arena, and we want to have a championship competitive team for years to come. And we want to own this asset for the next 50 or 60 years. This is not a short-term thing for us.”

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6129711/2025/04/04/timberwolves-lynx-ownership-alex-rodriguez-glen-taylor/

More arena talk.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/280590/Wolves-New-Owners-Will-Attempt-To-Build-New-Arena

I guess they can't maximize returns on their investment to buy the team without a new arena to increase revenues.

Wolves are in a tough situation if they want to retain all their free agents but have the new owners mentioned anything about maintaining a high payroll?

Trading KAT should have improved the cap situation but since all 3 of their free agents or potential free agents had good seasons, it will take more money to retain them all, if that is even what the team wants to do.

[Slim Tubby]

When the two take over control of the teams, they are expected to be aggressive out of the gates. In addition to using the last year to prepare themselves financially for the transition, they have been working on plans for a new arena to replace Target Center, the second-oldest building in the league. Keeping the team in Minnesota, they have said numerous times, is their plan.

They also will have to address president of basketball operations Tim Connelly’s contract situation. Last summer, Connelly pushed back the option he had on his contract for one year so he could see how the ownership struggle played out. Lore and Rodriguez were on the front end of recruiting Connelly away from Denver, making him a lucrative offer that Taylor ultimately signed off on to land him.

Connelly has built a team that went to the Western Conference finals last season and has the looks of a team that is rounding into form just as the playoffs approach this year. Keeping him in Minnesota will be a top priority.

Lore and Rodriguez also were in agreement with Taylor on extending coach Chris Finch’s contract during last season’s playoff run, so there are no immediate major changes in the basketball department expected when they do get the keys to the car.

“Not only are we in strong shape, but we cannot wait to get this thing closed,” Rodriguez told The Athletic in March 2024. “We want to keep the team in Minnesota, we want to build an arena, and we want to have a championship competitive team for years to come. And we want to own this asset for the next 50 or 60 years. This is not a short-term thing for us.”

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6129711/2025/04/04/timberwolves-lynx-ownership-alex-rodriguez-glen-taylor/

More arena talk.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/280590/Wolves-New-Owners-Will-Attempt-To-Build-New-Arena

I guess they can't maximize returns on their investment to buy the team without a new arena to increase revenues.

Wolves are in a tough situation if they want to retain all their free agents but have the new owners mentioned anything about maintaining a high payroll?

Trading KAT should have improved the cap situation but since all 3 of their free agents or potential free agents had good seasons, it will take more money to retain them all, if that is even what the team wants to do.

With the court delays that occurred after the initial sales price of the team was agreed upon, the value of the team nearly doubled to above $3B.

Knowing this, if the new ownership group is still on shaky grounds financially, we've got bigger problems to worry about than a new stadium.

We'll know a lot more about the financial commitment these guys are willing to make after this offseason. To your original good point, we certainly could benefit from a more modern arena.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

[KGdaBom]

A Rod when it comes to owning a sports franchise Is a broke peasant. Lore is more like a well to do peasant. They're probably among the poorest ownership groups in the NBA.

[BlacJacMac]

A Rod when it comes to owning a sports franchise Is a broke peasant. Lore is more like a well to do peasant. They're probably among the poorest ownership groups in the NBA.

Glen Taylor: As of May 2025, Forbes reported his net worth to be US $2.9 billion.
Marc Lore: As of May 2025, Forbes reported his net worth to be US $2.8 billion.

The new ownership group also includes other investors like Eric Schmidt and Michael Bloomberg.

Eric Schmidt: As of May 2025, Forbes reported his net worth to be US $23.8 billion
Michael Bloomberg: As of May 2025, Forbes reported his net worth to be US $104.7 billion

[KGdaBom]

A Rod when it comes to owning a sports franchise Is a broke peasant. Lore is more like a well to do peasant. They're probably among the poorest ownership groups in the NBA.

Glen Taylor: As of May 2025, Forbes reported his net worth to be US $2.9 billion.
Marc Lore: As of May 2025, Forbes reported his net worth to be US $2.8 billion.

The new ownership group also includes other investors like Eric Schmidt and Michael Bloomberg.

Eric Schmidt: As of May 2025, Forbes reported his net worth to be US $23.8 billion
Michael Bloomberg: As of May 2025, Forbes reported his net worth to be US $104.7 billion

OK Lore has some heavy hitters pitching in. Why would Lore and A Rod bring those guys in on their sweet investment that has already doubled unless they're desperate? What is the status on those guys in the purchase. Any chance they will take over and force Lore and A Rod into the background. Are Lore or Lore and A Rod calling the shots?

[BlacJacMac]

A Rod when it comes to owning a sports franchise Is a broke peasant. Lore is more like a well to do peasant. They're probably among the poorest ownership groups in the NBA.

Glen Taylor: As of May 2025, Forbes reported his net worth to be US $2.9 billion.
Marc Lore: As of May 2025, Forbes reported his net worth to be US $2.8 billion.

The new ownership group also includes other investors like Eric Schmidt and Michael Bloomberg.

Eric Schmidt: As of May 2025, Forbes reported his net worth to be US $23.8 billion
Michael Bloomberg: As of May 2025, Forbes reported his net worth to be US $104.7 billion

OK Lore has some heavy hitters pitching in. What is the status on those guys in the purchase. Any chance they will take over and force Lore and A Rod into the background. Are Lore or Lore and A Rod calling the shots?

That’s not how it works. They own smaller pieces of the franchise, so the only way they could “take over” is if Lore or ARod sold them enough of their shares to make them the majority owner.

[KGdaBom]

Glen Taylor: As of May 2025, Forbes reported his net worth to be US $2.9 billion.
Marc Lore: As of May 2025, Forbes reported his net worth to be US $2.8 billion.

The new ownership group also includes other investors like Eric Schmidt and Michael Bloomberg.

Eric Schmidt: As of May 2025, Forbes reported his net worth to be US $23.8 billion
Michael Bloomberg: As of May 2025, Forbes reported his net worth to be US $104.7 billion

OK Lore has some heavy hitters pitching in. What is the status on those guys in the purchase. Any chance they will take over and force Lore and A Rod into the background. Are Lore or Lore and A Rod calling the shots?

That’s not how it works. They own smaller pieces of the franchise, so the only way they could “take over” is if Lore or ARod sold them enough of their shares to make them the majority owner.

I'm trying to gain understanding of how it works. Bloomberg has a 100 Billion net worth, but since he owns a small share of the team what is his obligation to put any money into the day to day operations? Do you think you can explain it for me? Why did Lore and A Rod offer Bloomberg and Schmidt a portion of their really sweet investment rather than keeping it all to themselves? Were Bloomberg and Schmidt buying at the 1.5B price that Lore and A Rod got or were they buying at the more recent valuation of 3B.

[wco81]

NBA teams are about to see a big increase in TV fees. They will also probably share in huge franchise fees if the league expands.

So Lore and Rodriguez probably won't need to sell their shares to their richer partners, unless they want to cash out with a huge gain, which is what Lasry did in Milwaukee.

I also wonder if the prospects of expansion makes teams approach their payrolls differently. The assumption is that several teams are going to try to get under the Second Apron this summer.

However, if you have a lot of depth in your roster, you are likely going to lose good rotation players to the expansion draft.

Of course there's no specific timeframe for expansion so no way to plan when to have depth or not.

[thinktank]

Idk how many of you recall this but I just came across a snippet of the interview Dane Moore did with ARod a while back. Alex mentioned that Glen was against the Rudy trade and advised not to do it. I missed that and thought it was interesting.

Glen thought we paid too much in trade assets, which was (is?) a widely-held opinion.

But this incident made me (and maybe Tim Connelly), respect Taylor more. He didn’t like the trade, but he let Connelly do it anyway. Trusting basketball people to make basketball decisions. Moreover, this trade was going to cost him a lot of money. I imagine when Connelly would go to the cheap Kronke’s on a deal like this, he’d get laughed out of the office.

You turn everything into a reason to respect Taylor more!