KEVIN O’CONNELL – Page 14 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Glen Taylor: No Interest Now in Selling Wolves, Lynx

Posted on March 28, 2024March 28, 2024 by David Shama

Glen Taylor told Sports Headliners this morning his Timberwolves and Lynx franchises are no longer for sale. The closing deadline for the final payment to gain controlling interest of the franchises by Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez was March 27. “…That was yesterday and they didn’t get it done,” Taylor said.

Taylor also said the March 27 deadline was an extension of a previous date in late February for the Lore and Rodriguez group to pay the final amount of $600 million in the $1.5 billion deal. Taylor said there was no request to extend the March 27 deadline as part of a payment schedule that began with an agreement in 2021.

Taylor said Lore and Rodriguez own about 36 percent of the franchises. Will they continue as limited partners. “That’s my assumption,” Taylor said. “They certainly can and my assumption is they would want to.”

Asked about whether he is disappointed about the sale falling through, the 82-year-old Taylor answered: “No, I am not disappointed. I think that I’ve run the club in the past and I will in the future. We worked really hard to put this team (the Timberwolves) together and I am more apt to want to just continue it out for a longer period of time.”

Taylor, who has enjoyed owning both franchises for more than 25 years, frequently receives inquiries about selling his teams. He said he won’t be entertaining offers or seeking them in the foreseeable future.

The going price for NBA franchises is considerably more than the $1.5 billion that sparked an agreement in 2021. The Timberwolves, who might command $3 billion now, are 50-22 and having one of the best years in franchise history. Taylor is enthusiastic about the season and hoping for a deep playoff run.

It was reported earlier in the month that Lore and Rodriguez were positioned to make their final payment with the help of a private equity company. Did Taylor hear what happened with the investor? “No, I wasn’t involved in any of that.”

Asked if he expected any pushback or litigation regarding the failed transaction, Taylor said: “Just as a businessman I am always aware that’s always a possibility. I think that would be a legal matter.”

Taylor said he is open to communications with Lore and Rodriguez. “I certainly would talk to them if they want to talk. They are owners. They’re partners. Why wouldn’t I talk to them?”

Worth Noting

In reply to a Discovery request from Sports Headliners, the University of Minnesota said by electronic reply there is no preference at this time on whether to renovate Williams Arena or replace it. The U is in the early process of deciding what action to take with the facility that will be 100 years old in 2028.

Presumably renovation will be less expensive than a new arena. The Athletic Department already owes millions of dollars for loans on existing facilities including The Athletes Village and Huntington Bank Stadium. Renovating Williams Arena as the home for the men’s and women’s basketball teams could well be more attractive to the U than a new building. Keeping the old facility will also be popular with many ticket buyers who are nostalgic about the place affectionately referred to as “The Barn.”

Regardless of the decision, the prediction here is for a home with less than the current capacity of Williams Arena, 14,625. The last two seasons the men’s program has been averaging fewer than 10,000 fans per game. Fewer seats mean fewer tickets to sell and if there is demand to see the Gophers that puts pressure on buyers to purchase seats early including full season commitments.

Kali Engeman, a middle block from Excelsior, is transferring from Georgia Tech to play for the Gophers where she will have two seasons of eligibility. She is the granddaughter of Steve Lundeen, starting center on the last Gophers Big Ten championship team in 1967. “I’m, as you can imagine, over the moon happy,” Lundeen texted about Kali who will graduate a year early from Tech in May with her engineering degree.

This is a milestone time for broadcast icon Dave Lee, the former WCCO Radio morning drive time host who for years has been the play-by-play TV voice on Minnesota state tournament high school basketball games. It was 50 years ago that he broadcast his first play-by-play boys and girls games for KRAD Radio in East Grand Forks, Minnesota.

The Minnesota Football Coaches Association and its leadership continue to impress with their lineup of activities, programs and speakers for the MFCA Clinic April 4-6 at the DoubleTree Park Place in St. Louis Park and on the U campus. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has been added to the lineup of powerhouse speakers that includes the Gophers’ P.J. Fleck and assistants, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz and former Gophers defensive coordinator and now Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel.

Four longtime sports executives with Minnesota ties have launched a company called Ignitor Partners that will provide marketing, communication, public relations, legal and sponsorship expertise to brands, sports properties, organizations and municipalities in Minnesota and other places. President Patrick Klinger said via email the company takes its name from his friend Paul Molitor who during his Hall of Fame baseball career was known as the Ignitor. Klinger’s three colleagues in the new endeavor are Scott E. Erickson, Bob Hagan and Bill Robertson.

Isaac Morton, the Texas A&M freshman pitcher from Spring Lake Park High School, is 1-0 with the Aggies. Morton, who was selected in the 19^th round of the 2023 MLB Draft by the Brewers, has pitched 11.1 innings with a 2.38 ERA.

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Past Offered Clues about Now Failed Vikes-Cousins Deal

Posted on March 11, 2024March 11, 2024 by David Shama

The past provides insights into the likelihood of something happening in the future. Hello, free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins and the Vikings.

News broke this afternoon Cousins is headed to the Falcons on a four-year deal. He and his representation have long been patient, savvy negotiators insistent on mega guaranteed multiyear deals including a no-trade provision. They struck the jackpot in Atlanta.

The new contract is for $100 million in guaranteed money, per a story from Nick Shook of NFL.com. The total deal is worth $180 million for the 35-year-old.

Cousins and the Vikings were on record about mutual affection and respect for one another, but the last 10 months have hinted at limits with the partnership. It was reported last May that despite Cousins having only the 2023 season remaining on his contract, an extension wasn’t imminent, and nothing ever was finalized.

It’s believed the Vikings were willing to offer guaranteed money for one or two more seasons. Perhaps at $50 million per season. Cousins had talked about finishing his career as a Viking and presumably wanted ownership and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to show maximum commitment, perhaps at least three guaranteed years and maybe consideration to play beyond then.

“After significant and positive dialogue with Kirk and his representatives, we were unable to reach agreement on a contract that fits the short and long-term visions for both Kirk and the Minnesota Vikings,” Mensah said in a prepared statement this afternoon. “Kirk holds a special place in Vikings history, and we appreciate his leadership and contributions to the team and the Minneapolis-St. Paul community over the past six seasons. We wish him, his wife, Julie, and their children all the best.

“Our approach heading into free agency always included layers of contingencies regarding the quarterback position. We are moving forward with plans that allow us to continue building a roster that can compete for a championship.”

Cousins got a dream deal from a team needing a quarterback to complement a roster that otherwise looks promising. His wife Julie is a Georgia native and from the Atlanta area but that most certainly didn’t have much to do with Cousins moving on. It’s a nice perk to play where the family has roots but that doesn’t drive deals of this magnitude. This is all about the bucks and security.

The Falcons are taking a major gamble with their commitment to an aging quarterback. Cousins, generally regarded as a top 12 NFL QB in recent years, had a remarkable stretch of playing without serious injury until he tore his right Achilles on October 29 last year and missed the last nine games of a season that resulted in the Vikings failing to make the playoffs.

There’s not much doubt Cousins will recover from his Achilles injury and be able to play next season. However, think about his age and the pounding he has taken in 12 NFL seasons with first the Commanders and now the Vikings. It’s clear an aging Cousins is more susceptible to injuries and being sidelined as the clock ticks toward his 40^th birthday.

Cousins takes a risk too leaving the comfort zone he had with head coach Kevin O’Connell. They spent two seasons together in the coach’s quarterback friendly environment and bonded.

Adofo-Mensah and the Vikings seem calculated and even cautious in contract negotiations. Processes have been drawn out with not only Cousins but with superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson and sack master Danielle Hunter. Of the three, only Jefferson is a near lock to be with the club in 2024.

Worth Noting

Three of four players with Vikings ties top The Athletic’s list of the NFL’s best free agents. Hunter is No. 1, Cousins No. 3 and former Vikings edge rusher Za’Darius Smith No. 4. Giants running back Saquon Barkley is No. 2.

Media mogul Sid Hartman, who passed away in October of 2020, would be 104 this Friday, March 15. Dave Mona, the longtime co-host of the WCCO Radio Sports Huddle program, reminded Sports Headliners the final show was on Hartman’s 100th birthday, March 15, 2020.

Hartman had an intense work ethic all his life and even in his final years was feisty, competitive and active on the local sports beat. His professional life as a Star Tribune columnist and radio personality dominated his days until the pandemic shut down the state and changed his life.

“I still think it was COVID that killed him,” Mona said. “Even though he didn’t have COVID, it ruined what he did, and he just couldn’t live under those circumstances.”

The Gophers basketball team split its two regular season games against Michigan State. When the two clubs play in their opening Big Ten Tournament game Thursday morning at Target Center watch the number of shots near the basket and inside scoring. The Spartans, under good-guy legendary coach Tom Izzo, have long been known for their aggressive play including inside the lane. In a 76-66 win over Minnesota, the Spartans had 44 points to Minnesota’s 12 “inside the paint.” When the Gophers won at home, 59-56, each team had 20.

Former University of Minnesota football player Jim Brunzell is organizing an early June tribute in the Twin Cities for former teammate Jim Carter who passed away last November. Carter, who captained the 1969 Gophers, was a strong leader who stayed in touch with teammates, and he will be remembered fondly by them when they gather at a local venue on either June 3 or 10.

The U holds its annual Pro Day Thursday with the following 2023 Gophers expected to participate: Tyler Nubin, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Chris Autman-Bell, Corey Crooms Jr., Sean Tyler, Kyler Baugh, Tre’Von Jones, Chris Collins and Brady Weeks.

Twins’ owner Jim Pohlad turned 71 Sunday, March 10.

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Vikings GM & Coach: What to Make of Their Job Security

Posted on February 6, 2024February 6, 2024 by David Shama

Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell are each two years into their four-year contracts. Will ownership extend those deals this offseason?

“No, I don’t think they will,” a former executive in the NFL told Sports Headliners while speaking on condition of anonymity.

In the first season of the new regime, 2022, the Vikings finished 13-4, won the NFC North Division title and advanced to the playoffs before being eliminated in their first game. With quarterback Kirk Cousins lost for the season after his Achilles injury in late October, Minnesota limped to the finish line with a 7-10 record and four game losing streak.

If 2023 had been more like 2022, contract extensions could have materialized but probably not now. “I would say there is a medium amount of pressure on them (the GM and head coach) to get back to the playoffs and get back on the track they were (on) the first year,” said the source who has years of experience working in pro front offices.

A really bad season in 2024 could land O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah “in big trouble” regarding job security, the source said. He added that the coach is probably safer because of the 13-win season and the many injuries that held back team performance in 2023.

The authority mentioned above said the “jury is out” on the GM’s acumen for drafting players and signing free agents.

The 2022 draft was particularly problematic for Adofo-Mensah who chose to give up his No. 12 selection in the first round in a trade with the Lions. Defensive backs Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth (first and second round picks) have not done much while the Vikings could have drafted safety Kyle Hamilton or cornerback Trent McDuffie, both of whom have become all-pros. Last season the secondary was underwhelming.

There have been successes like 2023 first-round selection Jordan Addison at wide receiver and undrafted linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. who also became a first-year starter. RB Ty Chandler, taken on the fifth round of the 2022 draft, was a winning move, too.

But in the last two years the Vikings haven’t acquired enough talent and depth, and part of the issue is the free agent report card. Signing linebacker Marcus Davenport turned “into a fiasco when they gave him $13 million bucks and he plays in three games,” said the source who pointed out Davenport missed part of the prior season with the Saints.

Cornerback Byron Murphy, who missed games in 2022 with the Cardinals because of a back issue, signed with the Vikings in the offseason last year but then was unable to take the field in the last three games of the season when the secondary was collapsing, and Minnesota was competing for a playoff spot. Defensive lineman Dean Lowry, another free agent signee, suffered a pectoral tear in late November and missed the rest of the season.

“I think when you’re signing free agents, you gotta sign guys who have been healthy,” the authority said.

Defensive lineman Harrison Phillips was a successful performer last season as a newly signed free agent but overall, the source and Vikings fans have reservations about Adofo-Mensah’s work in adding talent through the draft and free agency. “They’ve had more misses than hits, let’s put it that way,” he said about the Minnesota organization he watches throughout the year.

To Adofo-Mensah’s credit, one of his better moves was the 2022 in-season trade with the Lions for tight end T.J. Hockenson. His presence gave Minnesota another quality receiver for their highly productive offense, a player who despite his size at 6-5, 248 pounds can be a deep threat.

There is conjecture about whether the Vikings will embrace a “competitive rebuild” to remain a playoff contender or use a start over philosophy of reducing payroll and letting key players go while concentrating on high draft choices and player development for a few years.

“No, I don’t see them wanting to tear it down,” said the source. “I think that they feel like they’re close enough (to the playoffs). That they did win the division in 2022 and then the injuries hit last year.”

The first indication of ownership’s intention will be the decision on whether to bring back their free agent starting quarterback Cousins. The authority is on board. “He was the third ranked quarterback in the league when he got hurt (late in game 8) and was playing really well. And they had won three straight games at that point. It’s obvious to me that if he hadn’t gotten hurt, they would have won at least two or three more games (and made the playoffs).”

The source has no doubt the Vikings can return to double-digit wins and the postseason. To do so means making moves in adding quality personnel and keeping their best players. He said using maneuvers like paying bonuses and deferring money in contracts the Vikings can work within the NFL salary cap to acquire key players and re-sign Cousins, wide receiver Justin Jefferson and linebacker Danielle Hunter.

All three players will be expensive starting with Cousins who figures to be the first domino to fall. “I think that’s going to come in around $45 million a year,” said the authority. “I think they’re going to have to probably give hm at least two years guaranteed at $90 million. And then maybe give a third year at just kind of window dressing on the contract.”

Jefferson, the source believes, could command a five-year contract at $175 million to replace his rookie year deal that ends after the 2025 season. Jefferson reportedly wants to be the highest paid non-quarterback in the NFL and currently 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa has that honor with a five-year $170 million deal.

“All these rumors about trading Jefferson are just ridiculous,” the authority said. “You don’t trade the best player in the league at his position.”

He believes Hunter could sign a three or four-year deal at $25 million per year. Linebacker D.J. Wonnum has played well and is also a free agent who the source could see receiving $10 to $13 million on a three-year contract. He added the Vikings have other free agents they likely will keep, mentioning defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard, linebacker Jordan Hicks and kicker Greg Joseph.

“Yeah, I think they can keep all the guys they want and still have the capability of going out and signing a couple of free agents,” the source said. “I absolutely do.”

NFL free agency begins March 17. The Vikings have 28 players, including multiple starters like Cousins and Hunter, who will be free agents. The most likely of the starters not to return is probably Davenport.

Meanwhile, Adofo-Mensah and his staff are also preparing for the April 25-27 NFL Draft. The Vikings hold the No. 11 pick in the first round and the authority believes they will select a quarterback in either the first or second rounds to groom behind Cousins.

Speculation is the top three available college quarterbacks taken will be Caleb Williams, Drake May and Jayden Daniels. The source believes the Vikings would have to make a trade and move up to the No. 4 or 5 spot to land one of them. “The quarterbacks, the top guys, are always gone early. You gotta figure they’re going to be gone certainly in the top five.”

He believes moving up higher in the draft order could demand giving another team Minnesota’s first pick in 2025 and second selection in 2024. “I just don’t know if they’re going to want to do that.”

If the Vikings stay at No. 11, they could choose a top pass rusher or cornerback and fill a need that way. Then target a best remaining quarterback in the second round, possibly seeing a J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix or Michael Penix available.

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