Timberwolves – Page 20 – 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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Taylor: Equity Group Not in Place for Wolves Sale

Posted on March 19, 2024March 19, 2024 by David Shama

Finalizing the deal to sell the NBA Timberwolves and WNBA Lynx remains unclear with a deadline of March 27 looming.

In 2021 owner Glen Taylor struck a multi-phase payment plan with Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez to acquire the Minneapolis-based basketball franchises for $1.5 billion. The final payment to give Lore and Rodriguez majority control over the teams (Taylor becomes a minority owner) is due a week from Wednesday.

That deadline is an extension of a previous date and indicates the challenge the buyers have experienced in raising capital needed for the takeover. Taylor told Sports Headliners yesterday about $600 million is needed to make the final payment.

Doubters might be skeptical of the sale being completed. Taylor’s communications with the two buyers haven’t been frequent of late but he did offer important news about financing.

“They had an equity group that was going to come in and put in $300 million, and that equity group has either withdrawn or the NBA has denied them,” Taylor said. “They have to go out and find new revenue. That I do know. I don’t know if they found it or what they’re going to do. We haven’t seen the schedule of ownership yet.”

The NBA will have a final call on approving the sale even if the Lore and Rodriguez group meet their final payment obligation. That might not be a slam dunk. If the league isn’t convinced the new owners can meet operating obligations with their finances, approval won’t be granted.

It’s believed Lore and Rodriguez will want to replace Target Center to better serve customers while improving revenues and financial value of the two franchises. A source told Sports Headliners the Farmers Market near downtown is a site of interest to the potential new owners.

Taylor would neither confirm nor deny the speculation about the location at 312 East Lyndale Avenue North. “…I don’t think I am the one that should comment on that. I think you should ask that of those guys.”

Gophers Basketball Notes

Anticipating how a college basketball team will perform the next season has never been dicier than it is now. With players having “free agency” to change schools at a whim, it’s best not to go overboard about the Gophers who potentially could have all five starters return.

The possibility of having center Pharell Payne, forward Dawson Garcia and guards Cam Christie, Elijah Hawkins and Mike Mitchell Jr. returning has college basketball authorities upbeat about Minnesota’s future. School athletic director Mark Coyle says a preseason top 25 ranking could happen, with Michigan State coach Tom Izzo and Big Ten Network analyst Brian Butch seeing the Gophers as possible title contenders in the Big Ten Conference.

After consecutive last place finishes in the conference and a combined league record of 6-33, coach Ben Johnson had his best Big Ten regular season record going 9-11 and 18-14 overall. Minnesota has its first NIT invite since 2014 and opens play tonight at Butler.

Izzo: “…Ben’s done an unbelievable job with the program. They could be the No. 1 team in the league next year so hat’s off to them.”

Butch told Sports Headliners the Gophers could be “top four” in the league next year. He said his alma mater, Wisconsin, might be in that company, too.

Garcia, a junior, made second team All-Big Ten as chosen by the media. He is averaging 17.7 points per game and has an admirer in Izzo. “…He’s a very good player, and if he keeps getting better, watch out,” the legendary Michigan State coach said.

Hawkins, who ranks second nationally in assists with 7.5 per game, is Garcia’s roommate. “Me and him, we feel like it starts with us. We’re the older guys in the lineup.

“I feel like as we go, the team goes. Dawson is a great player for us. He’s our leading scorer here. We expect a lot out of him, and he gives it to us.”

Hawkins, the team’s point guard, transferred from Howard last year and expects to make a decision soon about returning for his senior season. “I love Minneapolis. It’s like my new home, I guess. I love my teammates and my coaches. They test me every day to get better.

“I feel like in the beginning of the season I was struggling a little bit with turnovers and stuff as far as that, so I feel like through the season I got better and better. Next year I definitely feel like we’ll be a good team, a better team.”

Guard Braeden Carrington played frequently as a sub this year and could be the first player off the bench next season. He said it’s not “too much to hope for” that the Gophers will be a nationally ranked team in the fall of 2024.

Carrington wants to see more consistency within games from the team. At times opponents went on scoring runs and the Gophers became “flustered,” he said. “I think if we can get that figured out (consistency through 40 minutes), I think we’ll be good for next year.”

Carrington, a sophomore defensive stopper, believes he can improve his agility and strength to become an even better defender. “My goal is to be an all-defensive player (in the Big Ten),” he said.

It seems likely Johnson will receive a contract extension and additional compensation in his contract. He is the Big Ten’s youngest head coach at 43 and believed to be the lowest paid.

The Badgers, who finished second in the Big Ten Tournament, might have all their starters return except for forward Tyler Wahl from Lakeville. Moving into Wahl’s spot could be Lakeville native Nolan Winter, who is the son of former Gopher center Trevor Winter.

Nolan showed considerable improvement during his freshman year and at 6-11 has exceptional skills including his outside shooting. “I think the future is so bright for Nolan,” said Butch. “He’s a great kid.”

Winter might team with 7-foot junior starter Steven Crowl from Eagan to give the Badgers two bigs in their lineup. They continue the legacy in Madison of exceptional players from Minnesota who became Badgers this millennium.

Wisconsin is in the NCAA Tournament for the 27^th time and is one of only five programs to participate 23 times in the last 25 years. Butch, who is the game radio analyst for Wisconsin, said the ongoing recruiting pipeline to Minnesota is because so many players have found success playing for the Badgers. Those players have bought into a culture of sacrificing for each other, and the Badgers have turned out Big Ten titles and NCAA Tournament runs under coach Bo Ryan and now Greg Gard.

“…They understand what exactly it is to be successful,” Butch said. “They buy into what Wisconsin is about.

“And you’ve seen changes (in style). This year Wisconsin is scoring the ball more than they have. Kids have seen that, too. Greg is willing to change. To adapt. I think that helps, too.”

Izzo said coming to Minneapolis for the Big Ten Tournament was a “tearful visit for me” because of his friendship with the late Flip Saunders, the former Gophers point guard, and Timberwolves executive and coach. “…Flip Saunders deserves to be even thought of more than he probably is here because he loved this city, he loved the Gophers, he loved the Timberwolves, and I love him. Sad to see him not with us right now.”

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Chargers May Offer Vikings Path to Quarterback McCarthy

Posted on March 17, 2024March 17, 2024 by David Shama

The Vikings have potential to move up in the first round of next month’s NFL Draft by making a trade with the Chargers. Minnesota could propose sending its No. 11 and 23 first round picks to Los Angeles, along with wide receiver Jordan Addison, in exchange for the No. 5 slot in the draft.

That move would give Minnesota a high probability of being able to select Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy. For months speculation has been he is a Viking favorite in the quarterback-loaded 2024 draft.

A former college coach compares McCarthy to 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy who in his second season almost led his team to a Super Bowl win over the Chiefs. Both are heady quarterbacks who play with poise.

“J.J. (is a) similar style with better arm talent and athleticism,” the coach said in a text. “Would be a great pick for the Vikes.”

There’s almost a national consensus the first three franchises drafting in the first round—the Bears, Commanders and Patriots—will select quarterbacks, and perhaps in the order of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels. The Cardinals hold the No. 4 selection and seemingly are committed to five-year veteran QB Kyler Murray and won’t select McCarthy.

Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is considered a generational talent and certain to be the first wide receiver selected in the draft. He should be a perfect fit for the Cardinals who need a big play receiver to complement Murray.

The above scenario would provide the Vikings the opportunity to trade with the Chargers for McCarthy. Los Angeles has one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks in Justin Herbert. They have just four wide receivers on their roster and are not only depleted in numbers but in talent after releasing mainstays Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

The Chargers are reorganizing payroll and personnel under new leadership including head coach Jim Harbaugh. They could be interested in receiving Addison, a talented deep threat still on a rookie contract who played like a future star for the Vikings last season. With the Vikings No. 11 selection Los Angeles might be able to land Brock Bowers, considered the prize among tight ends. At No. 23 Harbaugh could find a physical offensive lineman.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah might test the Chargers by offering tight end T.J. Hockenson instead of Addison. If it’s Hockenson, then maybe the Vikings will also dangle a second round pick while retaining Addison.

The Chargers have the option of staying at No. 5 and likely taking Malik Nabers, perhaps the second-best wide receiver in the draft. Addison, though, is a proven commodity and Harbaugh is on a mission to build a championship team in Los Angeles and could warm to the idea of additional picks in his first draft.

With a bridge quarterback for next fall in Sam Darnold, the Vikings are on the clock to find their future leader and best playmaker. They don’t need to panic, though, as the draft approaches.

Worst case scenario is staying at No. 11 and finding a Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr. Then take a season to develop whoever the new QB is and accept the likely reality the losses will pile up. Minimal wins will result in a favorable draft position next season and could present the Vikings with an even better opportunity to select a talented quarterback or other playmaker.

Adofo-Mensah would be wise to also think long term about a 2025 opportunity to acquire a first-round pick from a likely bottom feeder team. The lowly Panthers don’t figure to show much improvement next season and have many positional needs. In the months ahead Adofo-Mensah should keep his Carolina colleagues on speed dial.

Worth Noting

In Adofo-Mensah’s two previous drafts leading the Vikings he has had minimal success, clicking on one major success in Addison who had 70 receptions for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. The pressure is on Adofo-Mensah in the next 12 months to make moves that pay off. The public is restless, and ownership won’t have indefinite patience with the first-time GM.

Contrary to what you may have heard, junior Gophers point guard Elijah Hawkins, the Big Ten assists leader, isn’t a lock to return for another season at Minnesota. “It’s going to be a quick decision, though, in the next week or so,” he told Sports Headliners after Minnesota’s opening game loss in the Big Ten Tournament to Michigan State on Thursday.

It was a Minneapolis and Target Center first hosting the Big Ten men’s and women’s tournaments the past two weeks. Kevin Warren, the former Vikings executive now president of the Bears, led the Minneapolis destination drive when he was Big Ten commissioner.

Word is the tournaments may not return, though, with the Big Ten likely to use past destinations and new ones on the West Coast as the league expands with Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington.

The men’s tournament was played before thousands of empty seats while the women’s tourney, led by pop culture Iowa phenom Caitlin Clark, packed the building. In Iowa’s three games reported attendance was 18,354, 18,746 and 18,575.

The Timberwolves, averaging 18,024 per game, rank 17th in NBA attendance, per ESPN.com.

Despite having one of the best seasons in franchise history, there are covered seats in Target Center not available for sale at Timberwolves games. Although those seats are not the most desirable, they could be available for sale soon as the playoffs near.

Put this in the “I will show them category.” Former Gophers basketball coach Dan Monson, fired by Long Beach State several days ago, led the 49ers to the Big West Tournament title last night and an entry into the NCAA Tournament field.

Another former Gophers head coach, Richard Pitino, led New Mexico last evening to the Mountain West tourney title and an NCAA Tournament invite.

Happy Birthday yesterday to former Gophers’ basketball captain Paul Presthus who turned 79.

The WrestleMania extravaganza is April 6 and 7 in Philadelphia and don’t be surprised if it’s staged next year at U.S. Bank Stadium.

MLB.com has the Twins ranked No. 15 for best farm system among 30 franchises. The top Minnesota prospects are outfielder Walker Jenkins (No. 10 in player rankings), shortstop Brooks Lee (No. 18) and outfielders Emmanuel Rodriguez (No. 42) and Gabriel Gonzales (No. 79). The Orioles’ farm system is ranked No. 1.

It will be a high of 51 degrees with partial sun in Kansas City for the Royals and Twins opener March 28, per Accuweather.com.

Former Golden Gophers quarterback Tim Salem, who played for his dad Joe Salem at Minnesota in 1980, has been hired as senior advisor for special teams at Georgia Tech. Salem has made a career of successful assistant coaching stops including at Illinois, Pitt, Purdue and Ohio State.

The Gophers men’s hockey team now awaits its positioning in the NCAA Tournament on March 24 after losing 2-1 to Michigan last night in a Big Ten Conference Tournament semifinals game. “I didn’t like us for big stretches tonight,” Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko said. “The first five minutes, I thought we had a little pop and gave a goal up. Then we got back on our heels.”

There were about 60 attendees last Tuesday night at Huntington Bank Stadium for an informational meeting regarding Name, Image and Likeness opportunities to benefit female athletes at Minnesota. Financial commitments will be coordinated through the official Gophers collective, Dinkytown Athletes.

The football Gophers begin practice Thursday and will not hold an official spring game. The 11 a.m. Saturday practice at Huntington Bank Stadium will be open to members of Dinkytown Athletes. The general public can attend the 4:30 p.m. practice at Athletes Village April 11.

Could be the golf course at Interlachen Country Club may not open until August or later because of renovation.

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