Golden Gophers – Page 2 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Timberwolves Remain Committed to Minneapolis Arena Site

Posted on April 6, 2026April 6, 2026 by David Shama

It continues to appear that Minneapolis will be the site of a new Timberwolves and Lynx arena. “This team will never leave here. We’re going to build down the street (from Target Center),” Alex Rodriguez told Sports Headliners almost two years ago.

At the time Rodriguez and partner Marc Lore were in litigation with Glen Taylor for control of the Wolves and Lynx franchises. Since then, the two have taken control of the franchises with Taylor no longer involved with ownership.

Timberwolves owner Alex Rodrgiuez — Alex Rodriguez

During an event at the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management in February Rodriguez voiced his commitment to downtown, per a story by Jonathan Harrison on Si.com. A city insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, recently confirmed that commitment to Sports Headliners.

The source said Mayor Jacob Frey has shown a willingness to listen regarding a new arena. The insider added that Frey has appointed senior city officials to meet with basketball ownership representatives.

The source acknowledged much of the details regarding the project are yet to be known or committed to. Sources two years ago said or implied the arena site would be the Farmers Market near downtown. Neither Rodriguez or Frey has revealed a location.

Speculation about locations include City Center, the Star Tribune land in the North Loop and the Farmers Market. Regardless of location, it’s expected that the arena will be mostly or entirely privately financed.

Target Center, now owned by the city, was originally privately financed by Marv Wolfenson and Harvey Ratner. They bought the NBA expansion Timberwolves who began playing in 1989-1990, with their first season in the Metrodome before moving into the new Target Center. Wolfenson was proud of the city and initially considered naming the team the Minneapolis Polars, the nickname being a nod to his high school alma mater, the North Polars.

The city assumed ownership in 1995 with a deal made with Wolfenson and Ratner. Over the years city officials have realized the tax and parking revenue value of downtown sports and entertainment venues. During COVID, for example, the city coffers would have been badly hurt without Target Center, Target Field, U.S. Bank Stadium and theatre venues.

It’s believed the city and the basketball owners favor an arena anchoring an entertainment district. That sort of development will need public financing for endeavors such as land acquisition and roads.

While the city council has a less than enthusiastic reputation regarding big business, Frey could provide evidence to sway votes for some public funding. The State of Minnesota could issue bonds to help with an entertainment district project as an investment in jobs and tax revenues while trying to keep the state’s largest city safe and vibrant.

The Sports Headliners source referred to believes the state is likely to approve something like $200 million this spring to help renovate the home of the Wild, Grand Casino Arena and other facilities. That will help continue a precedent of state involvement with sports facilities in the Twin Cities.

The building of a new arena in Minneapolis could be five to eight years into the future. That time period could well coincide with the leadership of a new governor, likely Amy Klobuchar.

The source predicts that 2027 would be the earliest any plan is taken to the Legislature and Klobuchar could be supportive. The insider said Klobuchar recognizes the benefits of big-time sports including revenues that will benefit the city and state.

Target Center is the 29^th oldest NBA arena, exceeded in age only by venerable Madison Square Garden in New York. The facility doesn’t begin to compare with other modern palaces in the league that are creating significant revenue returns for team owners and communities.

Worth Noting

Vikings’ safety Harrison Smith has yet to announce whether he will play next season. What’s certain is there won’t be many more seasons ahead for the 37-year-old. At the No. 18 spot in the first round of this month’s NFL Draft, the Vikings might find it too tempting to resist Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman. He has size, speed and versatility, and is likely to be available in the 15 to 32 range of the first round.

It doesn’t take much noodling to figure out why University of Minnesota athletics director Mark Coyle parted ways with women’s hockey coach Brad Frost last month. The Wisconsin Badgers recently won a record ninth national championship, while the Gophers have won six NCAA titles and none since 2016. New Gopher hire Greg “Boom” May faces the highest of expectations with Coyle on record as saying the Minnesota position “is the best coaching job in the country.”

Minnesota icon Dick Jonckowski will do comedy and play his trombone kazoo starting about 8:30 p.m. April 11 at Mancini’s Char House in St. Paul, appearing prior to the Mancini’s band. “The Polish Eagle,” 82, has been entertaining at nursing homes and said he doesn’t take offense when audience members nod off.

Former Gopher basketball player Walter Bond and his wife Antoinette have co-authored a new book: “Accelerate a Champion’s Playbook to Fast-Track Your Business Success.” Bond is a longtime popular motivational speaker.

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Oregon Tight End Might Be Too Tempting for Vikes to Pass Up

Posted on March 29, 2026March 29, 2026 by David Shama

Local football authority Daniel House, known for his football film breakdown and data driven research, predicted on X last year the Vikings would use their first-round draft selection on Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson. Bingo! The Vikings did just that.

House, recognized by football followers for his presence on multiple platforms including X @DanielHouseMN, will post his 2026 prediction on X this Wednesday. He told Sports Headliners he’s “leaning” toward dynamic Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq being Minnesota’s choice at No. 18 of the first round of the NFL Draft which opens Thursday night April 23.

Why? “What a freaky athlete he is and how he tested. It’s pretty impressive.”

The 6-foot-3, 241-pound playmaker had a terrific NFL Combine where he ran the fastest 40-yard dash for a tight end (4.39) since at least 2003. Sadiq excelled in physical measurements and also team interviews.

The Vikings have many needs to fill in the draft and already possess a quality tight end in T.J. Hockenson but Sadiq, if available, might be too good to pass on. House said a team’s offensive efficiency can “explode when you have two tight ends on the field.” He added that the versatile Sadiq can line up not only in a tight end position but also in the slot or out wide. Sadiq, he said, is so talented and versatile he could play some fullback, making the transition easier without C.J. Ham who has retired.

Among the Vikings needs is help at running back and it wouldn’t be too surprising if they selected Minneapolis native Emmett Johnson. The Gophers didn’t pursue Johnson, but he became one of college football’s better backs at Nebraska despite not having top speed.

“He was really good…(with) acceleration, deaccelerating,” House said. “Sudden, elusive type of back. I feel like NFL teams are going to like Emmett Johnson quite a bit.”

House predicts Johnson will likely be a round two or three pick. He said Johnson may not have tested that well with scouts but he “transitions” so well when he runs that he is an intriguing prospect. “That’s where he is elite. So, I think maybe that’s going to be the calling card for his game is the ability to make people miss. And that’s the bread-and-butter success at the running back position. …”

The first Gopher to be taken by an NFL team either in the draft or free agency is likely to be defensive lineman Deven Eastern from Shakopee. Defensive tackles are coveted in the NFL, and House said the 6-foot-5, 315-pound Eastern has “great length and movement skills.”

Worth Noting

Gopher football coach P.J. Fleck — P.J. Fleck

Gophers head football coach P.J. Fleck, speaking at the Minnesota Football Coaches Association Clinic last week, told the audience his teams frequently exceed expectations of prognosticators and this year’s team can be “sneaky good.” He also told Sports Headliners quarterback Drake Lindsey is improved in throwing the deep ball.

Former Gopher wide receiver and now TV analyst Ron Johnson after being asked if national champion Indiana’s coaching staff is superior to Minnesota’s: “No, I wouldn’t say that. It’s all about the dollars (to pay players).”

Johnson is an admirer of Lindsey including his 6-foot-5 height. That’s prototypical of ideal NFL quarterbacks. “It (the height) changes the trajectory of the ball,” Johnson told Sports Headliners.

The Gophers, now in spring practices, have a roster of players from 29 states.

Dan Stoltz, president and CEO of Blaze Credit Union, spoke about leadership at the clinic. An inspiring speaker, Stoltz has a book coming out this summer with a working title of “Quest to Be Your Best.”

Retired girls’ high school basketball coach Brian Cosgriff, who won eight state tournament titles, thinks the world of Amaya Battle, the Golden Gopher senior guard who played her last game in Friday’s NCAA Tournament loss to UCLA. Cosgriff coached her at Hopkins High School and recalled how the death of Battle’s mother prompted her to stay home for college and be near family.

The versatile scorer, rebounder and assist maker is one of the Gophers all-time best players. Cosgriff describes her as a great player, person and student who is also “funny as heck.” Cosgriff told Sports Headliners: “I am going to make it my cause to go out and see if we can hang a banner of her at Williams Arena.”

The Twins were efficient in gaining their first win of the regular season yesterday, scoring four runs on four hits to defeat the Orioles 4-1. Twins pitchers struck out 16 batters, including nine by first-year starter Taj Bradley in 4.1 innings. The suspect labeled bullpen used five relievers who gave up only two hits and struck out seven.

Timberwolves owner Alex Rodriguez was a big hit speaking to the Twin Cities Dunkers last week. He graciously posted a thank you on his LinkedIn page. (43) Post | LinkedIn

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Medved Expects ‘Large Number’ of Returnees to Gophers

Posted on March 25, 2026March 25, 2026 by David Shama

Niko Medved has nine players on his roster that appear to have eligibility for the 2026-2027 season. The men’s college basketball transfer portal opens for 15 days beginning on April 7 so the Golden Gophers coach will know a lot more by the end of next month, but he told Sports Headliners he believes a “large number of them (players)” will return.

Starters Isaac Asuma (guard), Bobby Durkin (forward) and Grayson Grove (center) have remaining eligibility. Center Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, who was a starter until a foot injury sidelined him in February and sixth man Kai Shinholster (guard) have future eligibility, too.

Projected starters earlier this season Chansey Willis (guard) and Robert Vaihola (center) are candidates to receive medical redshirts. Others on the roster with apparent future eligibility are Max Lorenson (guard) and Chance Stephens (guard).

Medved added that while in this transfer happy era of college basketball there are no guarantees he “feels good” about the process as the window nears for the 2026 portal. He made that comment after Nehemiah Turner (center) transferred but prior to the more recent transfer out of the program by B.J. Omot (forward).

Medved said none of the players who were sidelined with injuries, including Crocker-Johnson, will participate in the College Basketball Crown tournament in Las Vegas starting April 1. The Gophers are part of an eight-team field with their opening quarterfinal game in the single elimination tourney scheduled against Baylor of the Big 12.

Niko Medved, Gophers hoops coach, photo by David Shama — Niko Medved

The Gophers haven’t played a game since their Big Ten Tournament loss to Rutgers on March 11. In the days since Minnesota players had about a week off. The rest period was one of the reasons Medved and his players opted for the Crown tournament. The Gophers have been playing with a six-man rotation that Medved said will continue in the tourney.

The players were also attracted to the tournament because of potential NIL money. The two winners in the semifinals (April 4) are guaranteed a pool of $50,000. The winning team in the April 5 championship games divides up $300,000 while the loser receives $100,000.

Medved said it’s “cool” that his players have an opportunity to earn money in the postseason. He also likes that the tournament is all in one location, expenses are covered by the tourney and there is an association with FOX Sports, which is a Big Ten partner.

Now in its second year after being founded by FOX Sports and AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group), the 2026 field consists of Minnesota and Rutgers from the Big Ten, Baylor, Colorado and West Virginia from the Big 12, Creighton from the Big East, Stanford from the ACC and Oklahoma from the SEC.

The Gophers and Baylor have never played against each other. Their game April 1 will be televised starting at 9:30 p.m. CDT.

Hired about a year ago, Medved and his staff scrambled to put a roster together and then faced a discouraging number of injuries that thinned out the talent even more. There was plenty of adversity, including the experience of a losing season (8-12 in the Big Ten and 15-17 overall). Medved and the players took a positive approach to the adversity, and the season included three upsets at Williams Arena over top 25 teams.

“The players deserve a ton of credit for staying with it,” Medved said. “Every time we got knocked down…they just bounced right back. You know it’s really cool. They set a great standard for…the way we want our culture and our program to look like moving forward.”

Worth Noting

Illinois freshman All-American guard Keaton Wagler was an under the radar talent for awhile when in high school in the Kansas City area. When Medved was head coach at Colorado State he said the Rams were recruiting Wagler hard. Medved thought he had a good chance to get him to Colorado State, but he eventually attracted more attention from colleges including Illinois. “…I thought he would be really good,” Medved said. “I don’t know that anyone, even Illinois included, thought he would be this good, this early. Kudos to him.’’

The women Gophers, under third year coach Dawn Plitzuweit, are setting a foundation for increased box office attendance and fan following. The Gophers are headed to the Sacramento Regional and a Sweet 16 game Friday night against UCLA. They earned their first trip to the Sweet 16 since 2005 with a dramatic home win Sunday on a last second shot by Amaya Battle in the fourth quarter.

The Gophers might not have won the 65 -63 game without the raucous support of the fans. Playing first and second round NCAA Tournament games at Williams Arena, the Gophers had announced attendances of 10,355 and 10,763 (arena capacity 14,625). Those were easily the largest home crowds of the season and brought the average for 18 home games to 4,792.

Last year home attendance averaged 3,819. This season and last the Gophers sold in the range of 2,300 to 2,600 public season tickets so there is a lot of potential for growth. With some key returnees and top 40 recruits, the Gophers figure to be winners again next season. Plitzuweit has won everywhere she has coached, including her four previous head jobs.

Gophers football historians noted the recent passing of Minneapolis native Tom Brown who was the dominant player on Minnesota’s 1960 national championship team. A two-way lineman, he was known as a “rolling boulder” on offense and “rock of Gibraltar” on defense. The All-American finished second in the Heisman Trophy balloting in 1960, something no lineman had ever accomplished.

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