With Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore set to take over as the new owners of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx, previous owner Glen Taylor and his wife, Becky, have bid farewell to the organization.
They were in charge of the team for three decades. The sale became a long saga, as the initial agreement was made in 2021. It took four long years, but it has finally gone through.
The Timberwolves have been in transition for a long time with their ownership. Most people knew Rodriguez and Lore were set to take over, but they faced multiple legal hurdles with the sale.
Now that the sale has been finalized, the Timberwolves should be in a new era. This may signal a step in the right direction, as Rodriguez and Lore have committed to supporting the team's championship pursuit.
After three decades in charge, Taylor had an unforgettable time as owner. He was there for a big part of the team's lifetime, including the Kevin Garnett era.
The Timberwolves fans should also be grateful to him for saving the franchise and keeping it in Minnesota in 1994. The organization has maintained its strong development, but this was a necessary change.
Alex Rodriguez and billionaire Marc Lore are finalizing a deal to purchase the Minnesota Timberwolves from majority owner Glen Taylor, sources tell @wojespn.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 10, 2021
Taylor will continue with full control of the team for two years before Rodriguez and Lore take over in 2023. pic.twitter.com/0aE4yGFKPB
Taylor and his wife, Becky, wrote a letter to Timberwolves fans to acknowledge the support over the past three decades.
"After 30 unforgettable years, our time as owners of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx has come to a close. This marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in our lives, one filled with purpose, pride, and a deep connection," Taylor wrote in a statement. "When we kept the Timberwolves from moving to New Orleans in 1994, we did so with the hope of building something that could unite people across Minnesota and beyond."
Minnesota is headed for a new era with star player Anthony Edwards and his supporting cast. With a more supportive ownership group, the team can unlock its potential.
Rodriguez and Lore can make some organizational changes, but they must express their support for the team. That can be done through financial support, especially with the luxury tax.
If they are willing to pay a premium luxury tax, they might have a stronger team. Signing big-name free agents and making big trades are on the cards for team president Tim Connelly.
This handshake between Anthony Edwards and Alex Rodriguez pic.twitter.com/hP3RXuV28c
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) May 20, 2024
By showing their trust in Connelly and empowering him, the Timberwolves can finally get over the hump. They have reached the Western Conference Finals in the past two years, but unfortunately, they lost both times.
With Rodriguez and Lore taking over, the team can surprise people with the new era of the Timberwolves. Edwards is still the superstar, but he might have some help.
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