Alex Rodriguez is deepening his investment in the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx—but a new billionaire is taking control of the franchises in a blockbuster deal reportedly valuing them at $4.5 billion.
The ownership landscape of the Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx is changing again.
Retired MLB superstar Alex Rodriguez is increasing his ownership stake in the two Minnesota basketball franchises as businessman and investor Marc Stad moves from minority investor to controlling owner, according to reports confirmed by multiple outlets.
The transaction values the franchises at approximately $4.5 billion, making it one of the biggest NBA ownership transactions in history. ESPN reported that the valuation ranks as the fourth-largest franchise sale in NBA history.
Marc Stad Takes Control
Stad, founder and managing partner of Dragoneer Investment Group, has been part of the ownership group alongside Rodriguez and Marc Lore. Under the new agreement, he will acquire the majority of Lore’s stake and become the controlling owner and largest shareholder of the Timberwolves and Lynx.
The transaction is still subject to NBA approval, with the league’s Board of Governors scheduled to meet in September. Reuters reported the next meeting is set for September 15–16.
Stad’s wife, Elisa Stad, is expected to serve as the Timberwolves’ governor once the transaction is approved.
A-Rod Isn’t Leaving—He’s Buying More
For Timberwolves fans wondering what happens to Rodriguez, the answer is significant: A-Rod is staying and increasing his investment.
Rodriguez will remain a co-owner while taking on a larger leadership role. He is expected to serve as Co-Chairman, Governor of the Lynx and alternate Governor of the Timberwolves, pending league approval.
That makes the ownership change less of a complete break and more of a restructuring of the partnership.
Rodriguez, Lore and Stad said their priority remains building the Timberwolves and Lynx into championship-level organizations and maintaining continuity within the teams’ basketball operations.
What Happens to Marc Lore?
Lore, who only recently completed the long-awaited purchase of the franchises with Rodriguez, will step away from his controlling role and take a more limited position in the ownership group.
According to Reuters, Lore is turning more of his attention toward his business, Wonder Group, as he prepares to pursue a public offering.
The timing is notable.
Lore and Rodriguez only assumed full control of the Timberwolves and Lynx about 14 months ago, following a lengthy and contentious process involving previous owner Glen Taylor.
From $1.5 Billion to $4.5 Billion
The numbers illustrate just how dramatically NBA franchise values have exploded.
Lore and Rodriguez originally agreed to purchase the Timberwolves and Lynx from Taylor for a reported $1.5 billion valuation in 2021. Taylor had acquired the Timberwolves in 1994 for roughly $88 million, according to Reuters.
Now, only a few years later, the franchises are being valued at around $4.5 billion.
That represents a reported threefold increase from the valuation attached to the original Lore-Rodriguez agreement.
The latest transaction also comes during a remarkable period for NBA franchise valuations.
Just days earlier, the Los Angeles Lakers were involved in a blockbuster ownership transaction reportedly valuing the franchise at $12.5 billion. Axios noted that the Timberwolves deal was already being negotiated for months and was not a reaction to the Lakers transaction.
Why This Matters for the Timberwolves
The ownership change comes at an important moment for Minnesota basketball.
The Timberwolves have emerged as a serious Western Conference contender, while the Lynx remain one of the WNBA’s established franchises.
The new ownership structure is expected to maintain continuity in basketball operations. Reuters reported that Stad, Rodriguez and Lore intend to continue working with Timberwolves CEO Matt Caldwell, president of basketball operations Tim Connelly, head coach Chris Finch, and Lynx president and head coach Cheryl Reeve.
For fans, the biggest question is therefore not simply who owns the team, but what the new ownership group intends to do with a franchise whose value has skyrocketed.
The ownership statement made the ambition clear: championships remain the priority.
And that could make the next chapter especially interesting.
The Bigger NBA Ownership Picture
The Timberwolves transaction is another sign of just how valuable NBA franchises have become.
The reported $4.5 billion valuation places Minnesota among the league’s most expensive ownership transactions, even though the franchise has never won an NBA championship.
The deal also highlights the growing appeal of sports franchises to ultra-wealthy investors, particularly as media rights, sponsorships and global sports valuations continue to expand.
For Rodriguez, meanwhile, the development represents an unusual twist: rather than exiting after the sale of the controlling stake, the former baseball superstar is putting more money into the franchise and taking on a larger role.
The real test now comes after the paperwork.
Once league approval is secured, the Timberwolves and Lynx will enter a new ownership era—with Marc Stad in control, Alex Rodriguez more deeply invested, and Marc Lore moving into the background.
And with Minnesota’s franchise value already surging to $4.5 billion, the question fans may soon be asking is: just how much higher can the Wolves go?
Sources and cross-checks
- Reuters: Confirmed Marc Stad’s purchase of the majority of Marc Lore’s stake, the $4.5 billion valuation, A-Rod’s continued involvement, Lore’s reduced role and the pending NBA approval.
- Axios: Reported Stad’s control stake, A-Rod’s continued ownership, the expected role of Elisa Stad and that negotiations had been underway for months.
- ESPN/AFP: Reported Rodriguez’s increased investment and expanded leadership roles, while identifying Stad as the incoming controlling owner.
- Minnesota Star Tribune: Provided additional context on the rapid rise in the Timberwolves’ franchise valuation and the recent history of the Lore-Rodriguez ownership group.
Leave a Reply