Change has come quickly to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx under new owners Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore. Just two months after officially taking control of the franchises, the pair have begun reshaping the organization in bold fashion.
According to a report from the Minnesota Star Tribune, Rodriguez and Lore have laid off between 35 and 40 employees following a top-to-bottom review of the team’s business operations.
The cuts primarily affected staff in communications, marketing, and sales, leaving basketball operations untouched – at least for now.
An anonymous source familiar with the decision told the outlet the move reflects the long-term vision Rodriguez and Lore have for modernizing the organization.
“These layoffs are a part of the long-term vision Lore and Rodriguez have for remaking the business side of the operation,” the source said.
A franchise in transition
The layoffs are the latest in a string of leadership changes that have altered the look of the Timberwolves‘ front office. Former CEO Ethan Casson and COO Ryan Tanke, two of the organization’s most recognizable executives, departed earlier this year. Casson has since resurfaced in Dallas as President of Basketball Operations, while Tanke took over as COO of the Houston Rockets.
While the basketball side of the operation has remained intact through this latest round of cuts, the message is clear: Rodriguez and Lore are determined to put their stamp on every corner of the franchise. The restructuring signals an intent to run the Timberwolves and Lynx with a leaner, more efficiency-focused business model.
Building a new identity
For Rodriguez, the former New York Yankees star, and Lore, a billionaire entrepreneur, ownership has always been about more than wins and losses on the court. Since purchasing the team, the duo has talked extensively about making Minnesota a more modern and nationally competitive brand, both commercially and culturally.
Trimming staff was part of an effort to reallocate resources toward areas they believe will fuel long-term growth. That includes digital strategy, fan engagement, and maximizing revenue in a sports market that competes with the NFL’s Vikings, MLB’s Twins, and NHL’s Wild for attention.
The timing of the overhaul is significant. With the 2025/26 season around the corner, the Timberwolves enter with high expectations after a string of playoff appearances and the continued rise of Anthony Edwards as one of the NBA’s most dynamic young stars.
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