Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore were formally introduced as majority owners of the Timberwolves and Lynx at NBA Summer League, marking the end of an 18-month legal battle with Glen Taylor. Their immediate priority? A new arena. Rodriguez declared modern venues a “necessity” for elite competition, contrasting past “vanity” projects, citing his experience with stadium transitions in Seattle (Safeco Field) and New York (Yankee Stadium). Target Center-opened in 1990 and home to both teams since their inception-is now viewed as inadequate despite renovations.
Building a new arena faces significant hurdles. Oklahoma City’s upcoming $900 million Thunder facility sets a cost benchmark, while renovating Target Center remains cheaper. Complicating matters: Minnesota taxpayers are already weighing a $395 million request from the NHL’s Wild for arena upgrades. Rodriguez and Lore aim to keep the team downtown but must navigate funding politics without Taylor’s influence-a notable absence during their introductory press conference.
Taylor’s ownership was defined by frugality, paying just $25 million in luxury tax through 2024. This made his claim-that he blocked Lore/Rodriguez’s takeover to prevent payroll cuts-deeply ironic. The new owners swiftly dismissed concerns: Lore pledged unlimited spending for contention, backing words with actions like re-signing Naz Reid and Julius Randle for a combined $224 million after trading Karl-Anthony Towns’ $224M contract.
The KG Reconciliation Mission
Kevin Garnett’s #21 banner remains absent from Target Center due to a fractured relationship with Taylor, who reneged on a promised ownership stake in 2016. Despite Minnesota’s recent playoff success, Garnett has boycotted games. Lore and Rodriguez prioritized mending ties, calling Garnett the franchise “GOAT.” Rodriguez emphasized: “Anything important to our fanbase is important to us,” hinting at rebranding efforts inspired by Garnett’s era.
Rodriguez channeled Yankees owner George Steinbrenner’s ethos: “The only thing more important than winning is breathing.” The duo finalized their $1.5 billion purchase in 2021-a steal compared to current NBA valuations-with Rodriguez declaring, “This is not a hobby.” Their commitment extends to luxury-tax payments and innovative fan engagement, like the “Jump” app allowing in-game seat upgrades via reverse auctions.
The owners face dual challenges: securing a modern arena (without alienating taxpayers) and leveraging Garnett‘s legacy to unite fans. As Rodriguez noted, they’re in the “very early stages” of arena planning but recognize urgency. With a top-tier payroll, playoff-caliber roster, and community-focused leadership, Minnesota’s new era aims to transform the Timberwolves from perennial underachievers into sustainable contenders.
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