Author: David Shama

David Shama is a former sports editor and columnist with local publications. His writing and reporting experiences include covering the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Gophers. Shama’s career experiences also include sports marketing. He is the former Marketing Director of the Minnesota North Stars of the NHL. He is also the former Marketing Director of the United States Tennis Association’s Northern Section. A native of Minneapolis, Shama has been part of the community his entire life. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota where he majored in journalism. He also has a Master’s degree in education from the University of St. Thomas. He was a member of the Governor’s NBA’s Task Force to help create interest in bringing pro basketball to town in the 1980s.

Did Differences Among Pohlads Help End Search for Buyer?

Posted on August 13, 2025August 13, 2025 by David Shama

The family of the late Carl Pohlad announced last October its intent to explore a sale of the Twins franchise. Today, in a surprising development to most followers of the team, Joe Pohlad announced in a news release “our family will remain the principal owner of the Minnesota Twins.”

A source texted yesterday to Sports Headliners that Joe Pohlad didn’t want to sell the franchise, indicating a possible division in intent among the family. In late 2022 Joe succeeded his uncle, Jim Pohlad, as executive chair of the club.

Carl Pohlad bought the team in 1984 from the Griffith family for $44 million (worth $133.52 million in today’s dollars, per Forbes.com). It was believed last fall that the Pohlads might be asking $1.8 billion or more for the club which Forbes valued at $1.46 billion earlier this year.

Allen & Company, an investment banking firm based in New York, was hired late last year to facilitate the sale process with then longtime Twins president Dave St. Peter representing the Pohlads. St. Peter cautioned Sports Headliners even back then that a sale wasn’t a certainty.

Perhaps a family division and inability to find a buyer willing to pay at least $1.7 billion discouraged the sale. The Twins also reportedly have over $400 million in debt.

Franchise revenues, however, will be buoyed by new minority ownership.

“To strengthen the club in a rapidly evolving sports landscape – one that demands strong partnerships, fresh ideas, and long-term vision – we are in the process of adding two significant limited partnership groups, each of whom will bring a wealth of experience and share our family values,” Joe Pohlad said in the statement.

The retention of the franchise makes sense in the aftermath of the recent departure of 40 percent of the roster. Trades reportedly reduced the payroll by about $30 million.

If a new buyer were on the horizon, it’s not likely that purchaser would approve of a roster gutting that could now mean the team won’t be a playoff contention for a couple of years at best.

News of the Pohlad regime continuing won’t be received with enthusiasm by many fans. Probably typical is a one-word text from a Sports Headliners reader: “Disaster.’

As has been documented repeatedly, the public’s beef with the Pohlads is that the family has been unwilling to spend sufficient money on payroll. Joe Pohald didn’t address willingness to spend money in his statement.

Here are his remarks in today’s news release:

“For more than four decades, our family has had the privilege of owning the Minnesota Twins. This franchise has become part of our family story, as it has for our employees, our players, this community, and Twins fans everywhere.

“Over the past several months, we explored a wide range of potential investment and ownership opportunities. Our focus throughout has been on what’s best for the long-term future of the Twins. We have been fully open to all possibilities.

“After a detailed and robust process, our family will remain the principal owner of the Minnesota Twins. To strengthen the club in a rapidly evolving sports landscape – one that demands strong partnerships, fresh ideas, and long-term vision – we are in the process of adding two significant limited partnership groups, each of whom will bring a wealth of experience and share our family values.

“We see and hear the passion from our partners, the community, and Twins fans. That passion inspires us. This ownership group is committed to building a winning team and culture for this region, one that Twins fans are proud to cheer for.”

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Ownership Speculation Puts Spotlight on Falvey, Baldelli

Posted on August 12, 2025August 12, 2025 by David Shama

If the Pohlad family finds a buyer for the Minnesota Twins franchise in the next six months (no guarantees), that new individual or group will decide the fate of employees including club president Derek Falvey and manager Rocco Baldelli.

Fans rightfully expect new ownership to be passionate and knowledgeable enough to make informed decisions about their MLB acquisition. Keeping the status quo, of course, will require the least work, including retention of Falvey the leader of baseball personnel decisions since October of 2016 and Baldelli, the field boss dating back to the 2019 season when he was chosen American League Manager of the Year.

That combo’s highlights include the Twins division titles in 2019, 2020 and 2023. Falvey’s 2017 team was also a Wild Card entrant in the playoffs. During his entire regime the Twins have won a single playoff series in the postseason.

Over the years much of the fan base has soured on Falvey and Baldelli. A team last season that looked like a cinch to make the playoffs went through a late season collapse including losing 25 of 37 games. The Twins finished 82-80 and Falvey and ownership received criticism for not making mid-season moves to strengthen the roster.

This summer personnel moves by Falvey gutted 40 percent of the team’s roster, moving 11 players in what was an unprecedented 96-hour stretch in club history. The team moved on from key contributors, particularly in the bullpen, in return for a clubhouse full of prospects.

New ownership will have to decide if Falvey and Baldelli, and those who work for them, measure up to whatever standard they set for performance. Ownership must discern in the highly competitive marketplace of Major League Baseball, how good are the two at what they do?

Falvey and Baldelli backers can argue they have done okay or better with the limited payroll the Pohlads have dictated. And certainly, this summer’s result of saving a reported $30 million from the payroll wasn’t a move that ownership didn’t have its hands involved with.

The Twins have a serious product and image challenge with the public including present and past season ticket holders. Apathy and disgruntlement have been building for years and is not likely to change until there is new ownership.

The reconstructed Twins could sweep away some gloom among the more loyal fans if they vastly exceed low expectations from now through the rest of the season. On the positive side, this bargain basement roster of unknowns, journeymen and holdovers has won five of its last eight games.

If the Twins were somehow able to play over .500 baseball the rest of the way that would be an achievement worth noting on the resumes of Falvey and Baldelli. That could quiet some of the speculation that the Twins are three years or more from being a division and post season contender.

If the club collapses in August and September, the move on from Falvey and Baldelli voices will grow louder. And if new ownership wants to make the proverbial “clean sweep” of its front office and manager/coaches, that’s the quickest way to create a new image and ease the anger among Twins fans.

Retention of those presently in authority will require courage and explaining by new ownership.

Niko Medved Talks Keeping Best Hoops Talent Home

For most of this millennium the men’s Gopher basketball program has been unable to bring the best players in the state to Dinkytown. From Tyus Jones to Chet Holmgren, the elites have gone elsewhere.

That has contributed to dismal results at Minnesota. In the past 20 seasons the Gophers have one winning season in Big Ten games. Twice during that stretch, they have won an NCAA Tournament game.

In the class of 2026 the top two prep players in the state, according to 247Sports, are Faribault center Ryan Kreager and Wayzata shooting guard Christian Wiggins. They’re committed to Loyola Chicago and Iowa State respectively. Wayzata small forward Nolen Anderson is ranked No. 3 and verbally committed to the Gophers.

New head coach Niko Medved was asked by Sports Headliners what it will take to reverse the longstanding trend at Minnesota of not convincing the most elite players to choose the program. Medved said there’s “a lot to sell here” and at his previous job (Colorado State) there was a track record of winning and helping players reach full potential.

“Playing in a system that they love playing in, that is conducive to them growing and developing as a player,” Medved said. “I think we have a great culture that guys want to be a part of and it’s just continuing to sell that. …We have really made an effort to do that and try to get the best guys, but they gotta be the best fit for us.

“…I look at what P.J. (Fleck) has done right across the way (for football). It didn’t necessarily happen for him right away but, man, he just kept chopping wood, chopping wood, and selling and selling, and now look at it. All these guys from around the area want to come and play for the Gophers. And we are going to get there too.”

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Vikings Reserve QB Roster Battles Command Attention

Posted on August 10, 2025August 10, 2025 by David Shama

Enjoy a Sunday notes column.

J.J. McCarthy is rock solid as the Viking starting quarterback but better believe the jockeying for status behind him is a competitive situation.

McCarthy played briefly in the first quarter of Saturday’s opening preseason game, a 20-10 win over the Texans in Minneapolis. Head coach Kevin O’Connell indicated after the game he was more than satisfied with how his 22-year-old leader ran the offense.

Before the first quarter was over Sam Howell relieved McCarthy. Then later in the game the Vikings turned to another veteran, Brett Rypien, before having rookie Max Brosmer finish up.

Howell completed 11 of 13 passes for 105 yards. Rypien was 1 of 4 for six yards while Brosmer, 5 of 8 for 47 yards, threw the lone Minnesota touchdown pass of the game.

O’Connell thought Brosmer “did a pretty darn good job coming in…and putting the ball in the end zone there.” Brosmer had a 118.2 rating, the highest of the Viking quarterbacks.

Minnesota may decide to keep Brosmer on the 53-man roster to start the season. Whether it’s been FCS New Hampshire, the Big Ten Golden Gophers or the Vikings, the likeable and football savvy Brosmer attracts admirers. Don’t be surprised if the eventual QB roster looks like this: No. 1 McCarthy, No. 2 Howell and Brosmer No. 3, with Rypien cut from the team.

If the Vikings don’t place Brosmer on their roster they take a major risk of another team picking him up.

McCarthy said this about Brosmer earlier in training camp: “Max is the man. Just super detail oriented, works his butt off. I can’t say enough good things about that guy. He is just an awesome human being. …”

Ben Solak, writing for ESPN earlier this month, ranked the Vikings coaching staff No. 1 among the 32 NFL teams. Solak’s approach was to evaluate not only the head coach, but also analyze offensive and defensive coordinators. He is especially an admirer of O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

“O’Connell has easily leaped into that utmost echelon of offensive designers, and Flores remains the cream of the defensive crop,” Solak wrote. “There are always little things to wonder about– scheming for a rookie is different from scheming for a veteran, even if that veteran had never been successful elsewhere — but there is no doubt that O’Connell & Co. elevate players more than any other coaching staff in football.”

David Hale, writing recently for ESPN.com on college football, placed the football Gophers among five under the radar teams who may exceed expectations. “Not counting the 2020 COVID-19 season, Minnesota is one of just 15 teams to win 60 percent of its Power 5 games. That’s more impressive than it sounds. It’s better than Washington, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Miami and Texas A&M.

“The Gophers enter 2025 with a ton of intriguing options led by Koi Perich and Darius Taylor, and while the schedule includes road trips to Ohio State and Oregon, there’s certainly a path for P.J. Fleck to get Minnesota back to the 10-win plateau (last achieved in 2019).”

The Twins try to win their three-game series at home today against the Royals who Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli has a 60-42 career record against. That’s his most victories over any team.

University of St. Thomas Athletic Director Phil Esten will be joined by head men’s basketball coach Johnny Tauer and men’s hockey coach Rico Blasi at a meeting of the Capital Club at Mendakota Country Club on August 27. They will discuss UST’s transition from DIII to DI, the new campus arena, NIL and potential competition with the Gophers. More information about the club is available from Patrick Klinger, patrick@agilemarketingco.com.

Twin Cities Business has honored Patrick as one of 25 Notable Marketing Leaders for 2025 for his work on behalf of clients.

Tomorrow, August 11, will be the 22^nd anniversary of Herb Brooks’ death in a car accident. The legendary hockey coach’s gravesite at Roseville’s Roselawn Cemetery is frequently visited by admirers who remember his extraordinary career that included the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” at the Olympics.

Former Viking and NFL Hall of Famer John Randle will be the celebrity golfer tomorrow at the Ben & Adith Miller Golf Classic benefitting the Winona Health Foundation. The event will be at the Cedar Valley Golf Course in Winona.

Former Hopkins superstar Paige Bueckers is a huge favorite to win WNBA Rookie of the Year honors. Playing for the Dallas Wings (8-23 record), Bueckers is averaging 18.6 points per game, 5.4 assists and 4.1 rebounds from her guard position.

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