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Glen Taylor Received More for Sale Than Reported $1.5 Billion

Posted on July 5, 2025July 5, 2025 by David Shama

Glen Taylor told Sports Headliners in a phone interview this week he received more than the previously reported $1.5 billion for selling the NBA Timberwolves and WNBA Lynx. That figure was reported by media outlets late last month when news of the NBA approving the sale of the franchises happened.

Taylor said the transfer of ownership to a group headed by Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez was finalized on June 25. Asked if the settlement price was $1.5 billion, Taylor said: “The answer is no but I am not going to get into it.”

Then he said the final figure “ended up to be on the plus-side of that ($1.5 billion).”

Estimates are the Wolves alone are worth at least double that figure. However, when Taylor and Lore and Rodriguez first agreed to a sale back in 2021 the $1.5 billion was the price settled on.

Taylor, the Mankato-based billionaire, was originally going to maintain a 20 percent share of the Wolves after the new owners took control. Asked about owning a small portion of the franchise now, he said: “No, they decided they didn’t want to and that was fine with me. The option was up to them.”

The four-year process in selling the franchises became contentious last year when Taylor disputed whether Lore and Rodriguez had met the deadline to become majority owners. He said the franchises were no longer for sale, and that led to litigation. A ruling earlier this year by an arbitration panel awarded the franchises to the Lore and Rodriguez group that also includes Michael Bloomberg, whose estimated net worth of over $100 billion makes him one of the world’s richest individuals.

The dispute involved hard feelings and cost tens of millions of dollars in legal fees but Taylor said now Lore and Rodriguez have been “cordial” toward him. “We wish them well,” Taylor added. “I’ve already talked to them and…told them that if I can be of assistance to them they should feel comfortable in calling me and talking with me. So, we’ll see if they do that.”

Taylor, 84 and long troubled by back pain, was joined in the sales process that began four years ago by his wife Becky. They are both big fans of the Wolves and Lynx. Taylor bought the Wolves in 1994 from original owners Marv Wolfenson and Harvey Ratner. He started the Lynx as an expansion franchise in 1999. Taylor owns various businesses including the Star Tribune. His Taylor Corporation is one of the largest privately held companies in the country.

What are his feelings now that his role is that of a fan? “I actually feel good. I think it was the right thing to do. You just look at all the things I am committed to. And now with my back (problem) and all that stuff. I think it was fine (the way things turned out).

“Since we signed (the deal) we’ve gone to…Lynx games. We still love to watch those women. We both feel really good on it. We haven’t done any travelling or anything, but we will.”

The Wolves and Lynx’s home arena, Target Center, is the second oldest facility in the NBA. It’s no secret the new owners want to replace the city of Minneapolis owned facility that opened in 1990. Not known, though, is that Taylor had research done regarding a possible new home for the teams.

Taylor didn’t want to say much about a new arena, positioning that as the role now of the new owners but he did offer this: “We had done quite a bit of work on it already so I’d just a soon kind of stay away (from discussing more.) I don’t know if they will use that. I think they will use some of that work that we had previously done.”

Location and financing of a new building will stir a lot of conversations and emotions. You can be sure Minneapolis supporters are agitated about talk the teams will leave for the suburbs. A site fight for a new Minnesota stadium or arena can be nasty and so, too, would public financing.

A privately financed facility avoids a lot of problems. “Yes, and I think that’s one of the things that they’re looking at,” Taylor said.

What kind of owners does he think the new group will be? “Well, I think they’re going to have to learn this market because they’re both from out East. I think things are different (than) the eastern markets.

“So, I think they have to spend some time and look at the sponsors and look at what people pay for tickets and all that stuff. There’s just a lot learning experience. I am sure they’ll do that.”

The Wolves have made the Western Conference Finals the last two years. The Lynx played for the WNBA title last year and could win the championship later this year. Fan expectations for both franchises will remain high under new leadership.

The two teams have not only of late excelled on the court, but finances are noteworthy also, Taylor said. “I feel proud and good about that,” he said about the status of the franchises.

What does Taylor believe his legacy will be for owning the two franchises for more than 25 years? “I think it will always be the same thing. That Glen Taylor kept them in Minnesota.”

Taylor’s name has been linked to being a possible buyer of the Twins but when asked about owning another local franchise he said “at my age I don’t think it would be good to get involved with another team.”

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Will Glen Taylor Surprise as New Minnesota Twins Owner?

Posted on June 4, 2025June 4, 2025 by David Shama

The field of potential buyers of the Twins franchise is unknown to the public. Could Glen Taylor be among the interested?

Taylor, 84, might seem unlikely given his age and apparent exit from sports as majority owner of the Timberwolves and Lynx. The sale of those franchises to the Marc Lore-Alex Rodriguez group is expected to be finalized soon by the NBA.

Taylor is a lifelong civic-minded Minnesotan and sports fan. It was Taylor who stepped up in 1994 to buy a distressed Wolves franchise that could have been headed to New Orleans. Taylor started the Lynx franchise in 1999 partially because he wanted to be supportive of women’s basketball. For many years he operated both the Lynx and Wolves when they lost money.

The Mankato-based billionaire obviously wants to make money on his various business endeavors, but he’s demonstrated his interest in benefitting the community including paying for expensive upgrades to Target Center, the city-owned home of the Wolves and Lynx. More than 20 years ago he told the Rochester Post-Bulletin he had interest in buying the Twins and Vikings.

Could Taylor head a group of Minnesotans willing to buy the baseball franchise under terms they consider favorable? Might that group include the Davis family best known to many Minnesotans for its Cambria ownership? Twins hall of famer Joe Mauer, potentially as a minor investor, would add “curb appeal” to a new group.

Taylor and partners reportedly will receive $1.5 billion for the sale of the Wolves-Lynx. The Twins Pohlad family ownership group might be asking a similar price for their franchise.

That appears to be a higher figure than realistic. Forbes does value the team at $1.5 billion but a recent report from Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press said the franchise has more than $400 million debt and is borrowing to pay bills.

That is a big negotiating point to any potential buyer. So, too, is the belief that the Twins are in the bottom third in valuation among the 30 MLB franchises.

Forbes ranks the franchise at No. 23. The Orioles, who sold last year at a reported $1.7 billion, are ranked No. 18 and valued at $1.9 billion.

The Twins are averaging 19,595 fans a game this season, per ESPN.com. That ranks No. 25 in baseball. The Twins per game attendance, though, will rise in the summer months with better weather and if the Twins continue to win as they have done of late.

The club has long had a bandwagon fan base. There is no fierce groundswell of loyalty to the Twins as there is for the Vikings, or baseball’s Cubs and Red Sox.

Attendance is significantly impacted by on field success and while usually having a competitive team in the AL Central Division, the franchise is hardly poised for a World Series run. It doesn’t help either that much of the fanbase is anti-Pohlad, believing that for too long ownership has been unwilling to invest enough in payroll.

Selling season tickets has been a challenge in recent years. When the club moved into Target Field in 2010 the season tickets total was reportedly about 24,000. That figure more than doubled the franchise record, per my reporting in 2010. Now the season tickets base might be in the 10,000 range, or even less.

In addition to on field performance, attendance is impacted by inclement weather. April and May often bring troublesome weather that discourages ticket buyers. Those two months represent roughly one-third of the schedule.

Playing in a facility without a retractable roof is a liability for the franchise which might have been interested in that amenity except for the added cost. A covered facility assures ticket buyers, including groups, that a game will be played regardless of the weather.

The neighboring Brewers have such a facility and are valued at $1.7 billion and ranked No. 20 in the Forbes evaluations. Yet Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin don’t have the geographic drawing power that the Twins benefit from being able to attract fans from the Dakotas, Iowa and Canada. American Family Field gives the Brewers an edge at the box office.

The Twins have also been hit with reported declining local TV revenue. The once lucrative regional sports model has been replaced by Twins TV. Going back to the 2024 offseason it was apparent the club’s stance on player payroll was impacted on a projection of less money from local television.

Perhaps the Twins would be willing to structure a sale for something like $1.2 billion with the caveat that if certain revenue marks are achieved in coming years, the Pohlads will receive a percentage of the success. That could be a negotiating item in a sale that has plenty of challenges including the potential of a MLB players’ work stoppage after the collective bargaining agreement between their union and the owners ends after the 2026 season.

Maybe Taylor is intrigued by it all. Perhaps he sees a reinvigoration of himself on a warm, sunny day at Target Field.

Worth Noting

When the Twins selected Royce Lewis at No. 1 overall in the 2017 MLB Draft, they passed on Hunter Greene. While Lewis is in an inexplicable slump and hitting .133, Greene is arguably one of MLB’s 10 best starting pitchers. The Reds ace was 9-5 with a 2.75 ERA last season and in 2025 is off to a 4-3 record with a 2.72 ERA.

New Vikings backup quarterback Sam Howell has a Korean heritage. His grandmother was Korean and he has worn a South Korean flag decal on his helmet in the past.

Brian Cosgriff, the Minnesota high school girls basketball coaching legend who won eight state titles before retiring this spring, turned down the opportunity to pursue the head coaching job at the prestigious Montverde Academy (near Orlando). Cosgriff, 64, had an initial interest in becoming a serious candidate for the national powerhouse program but decided to remain in Minneapolis where next school year he will have a physical education position at DeLaSalle High School.

The upcoming season will be Mark Lundgren’s 30th as a member of the University of Minnesota football chain gang. The season will be the 25th for him as the gang’s crew chief. Lundgren, who has never missed a game, was recently given a 30-year commemorative jacket by some crew members.

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Tears from Tampa to Minnesota after Bueckers Win

Posted on April 7, 2025April 7, 2025 by David Shama

A Minnesota hero earned a storybook ending to her college career on Sunday when Connecticut defeated South Carolina to win the NCAA Women’s Division I Basketball National Championship in Tampa.

Paige Bueckers, one of the most dominant women’s college basketball players ever, was pivotal in the Huskies winning the national title in her last game as a collegian while scoring 17 points and grabbing a team second best six rebounds in the 82-59 victory. It was her first college national title and the end of a journey for the former Hopkins High School superstar that prompted intensive emotions in both Tampa and Minnesota.

In the closing seconds Bueckers came out of the game and hugged head coach Geno Auriemma. “I love you. That’s all I could say,” Auriemma told an ABC TV audience after the game talking about Bueckers who was overcome with emotion yesterday just like her coach.

The Huskies’ do-everything point guard said the feeling of winning the title was “unreal.” She also told TV viewers, “I love that coach.”

Bueckers’ coach at Hopkins, Brian Cosgriff, watched the game in Minnesota and last evening talked to Sports Headliners. “I was in tears when she came off the floor and was hugging coach Geno. That’s when it hit me. That’s when I got chills and I was like, holy crap. This is something this young lady has wanted since I’ve known her.

“And knowing Geno the way I do, he was moved. You could see emotionally, he was really moved by their relationship and the magnificence of what was taking place.

“They (the Huskies) walked through this tournament. They were playing really good basketball, and it wasn’t just Paige. I mean Azzi Fudd was amazing. Sarah Strong was amazing (both players had 24 points yesterday).

“They came off the bench with players that were outstanding. It was a complete program victory. No question about it.”

A part of the satisfaction from yesterday for Cosgriff comes from what he’s seen through the years from his “tough as nails” former player. “This was a goal of hers from day one and it finally came to fruition after experiencing many setbacks and a lot of adversity along the way in terms of injuries and those kinds of things.

“She overcame a lot and showed her resilience as a person and a player, and I couldn’t be happier for her. She’s just an amazing basketball player but even a better person.”

Bueckers and Cosgriff, now the girls coach at Minnetonka, have remained close over the years. Last summer Bueckers was in town and used the coach’s rental condo downtown while she saw friends and family, threw out the first pitch at a Twins game and enjoyed the state fair. “You always take care of your former players,” Cosgriff said.

Bueckers, who is among the most prolific winners of women’s college basketball awards ever including National Player of the Year, first joined Cosgriff’s program as a seventh grader playing for the sophomores and junior varsity. A member of the varsity in eighth grade, she and the Royals made the state championship game every year except her last in 2020.

That year the Royals and Farmington advanced to a date for the final game only to see it cancelled by the State High School League because of COVID. Hopkins and Bueckers were primed to win a second consecutive state title with a 62-0 win streak that dated back to 2019 when they had earned the title of Class 4A champs. Cosgriff describes the last-minute decision to cancel the game and not compete for a championship in 2019 “as quite a kick in the pants.”

“The entire program was in tears,” he said. “We were in a mess. Absolute mess.”

But there were different tears yesterday as Bueckers fulfilled a goal she once talked about via SLAM on Instagram back in her Hopkins days. She spoke of “winning a national championship” in college and hoping after that to be the first pick in the WNBA Draft.

Now the 6-foot, 23-year-old Bueckers is considered the likely No. 1 WNBA pick in the league draft next Monday.

Storybook ending.

Worth Noting

In a move to generate more revenue, the U Athletic Department is exploring potential naming rights for Williams Arena. With or without a corporate name, the facility will still be referred to by many fans as “The Barn.”

While many find the nickname appealing, I don’t.

Do you wonder why the historic building that is nearing its 100^th birthday is labeled a “dump” now days? Yes, the men’s urinals are troughs and other enhancements are needed, but it hasn’t helped the venue’s image that for years the arena is called “The Barn.”

To me there’s nothing appealing about the disparaging connotation of a barn being home to a Big Ten basketball team. It’s a marketing mistake by the U to have played into the narrative for a long time.

Other college basketball historic venues aren’t labeled as such. Cameron Indoor, Allen Fieldhouse and The Palestra are examples. The latter two facilities have flattering nicknames: “The Phog” and “The Cathedral of College Basketball.”

Twins Hall of Fame pitcher Bert Blyleven, who used to have fun as the Twins TV analyst promoting his birthday, turned 74 yesterday.

Yesterday was the anniversary of the largest crowd ever to see a baseball game in Minnesota. The April 6, 1982, attendance of 52,279 for the first-ever regular season game at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome set a record that still stands. Rookie Gary Gaetti had four hits, including two home runs, but the Twins lost 11-7 to the Mariners.

Gulp: $25 to park in Ramp A for the Twins-Astros game last Saturday.

The first of 10 free Twins over-the-air games on Fox 9 is a week from Tuesday, April 15, against the Mets from Target Field.

The Twins don’t have the most attractive home schedule for summer weather. They have 15 home games each in April and May, with 13 in June, August and September, and just 12 in July.

The “Hit It To Win It” contest will draw attention at Target Field this season. If a Twins’ home run hits the Winnebago brand RV parked in right field area on the fly, a lucky fan’s entry will be drawn to win an outdoor recreational vehicle or boat of his or her choice from Winnebago Industries (up to $200,000 in MSRP value). To enter the sweepstakes, visit the area inside Gate 34 at the stadium to connect with a Winnebago Industries brand rep, scan the QR code on the stadium RV, or visit www.hitittowinit.com and complete the entry form.

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