Turd Taylor Out As Majority Owner

[weimy froob]

Charley Walters: Timberwolves buyers may need another extension

It still looks like the $1.5 billion sale of the Timberwolves and Lynx will happen. But up until at least last week, there was an awkward silence on behalf of the buyers.

The initial deadline for the sale to Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore was Dec. 31. Another deadline granted by owner Glen Taylor had been pushed back until this Thursday, presumably for Rodriguez and Lore to acquire more capital.

Don’t be surprised if yet another deadline is granted beyond Thursday.Charley Walters

Word is the buyers still need $600 million to close the deal. For a transaction of this magnitude, a lack of correspondence between the buyers and seller has been puzzling.

Taylor hadn’t heard from the buyers in at least a month, but he has remained patient. At age 82 he’s already a double-billionaire and hardly in need of cash.

— Rodriguez and Lore are in the process of bringing new partners into the deal, but those have been unknown, even to Taylor, who if he’s to become a 20 percent partner, as initially was planned, would like to know the conditions. Taylor’s group on Jan. 3 requested pertinent information from the buyers without response.

Taylor remains the Timberwolves-Lynx owner and oversees all transactions. It’s been under his final say and direction that the Wolves have become the Western Conference’s co-leader.

— What’s especially interesting about the sale is that although Rodriguez and Lore plan to be majority owners, they’re not expected to own more than 24 percent of the team. The NBA requires only 15 percent, which is surprising.

There’s whispering that an outside equity firm is going to invest $300 million in the deal, but it won’t have decision-making rights. It would have investment value in a league where the average team now is worth an estimated $2.7 billion. Besides the equity firm, five limited investors are expected to join for a total 10 percent.

— Of note is that if Rodriguez and Lore were to buy Taylor out entirely, there is language in the sales agreement that the deal would be worth more than the original $1.5 billion price.

— One of the families that partnered last December to buy the Dallas Mavericks for $3.5 billion had contacted Taylor about buying the Timberwolves for considerably more than the $1.5 billion Rodriguez-Lore deal. But a condition was that the group could move the team to Las Vegas. Taylor declined.

Also, Mat Ishbia, who in 2022 bought the Phoenix Suns for a record $4 billion, inquired of Taylor about buying the Timberwolves and probably would have paid more than the $1.5 billion. The timing for that deal wasn’t right, though.

No doubt Rodriguez and Lore will demand a new arena in Minneapolis, but it’s likely they’re unaware of how long and challenging replacing Target Center would take. The pair might also be naive enough to think they could relocate the franchise, which several sources in the know say wouldn’t happen.

[twolves31]

Charley Walters: Timberwolves buyers may need another extension

It still looks like the $1.5 billion sale of the Timberwolves and Lynx will happen. But up until at least last week, there was an awkward silence on behalf of the buyers.

The initial deadline for the sale to Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore was Dec. 31. Another deadline granted by owner Glen Taylor had been pushed back until this Thursday, presumably for Rodriguez and Lore to acquire more capital.

Don’t be surprised if yet another deadline is granted beyond Thursday.Charley Walters

Word is the buyers still need $600 million to close the deal. For a transaction of this magnitude, a lack of correspondence between the buyers and seller has been puzzling.

Taylor hadn’t heard from the buyers in at least a month, but he has remained patient. At age 82 he’s already a double-billionaire and hardly in need of cash.

— Rodriguez and Lore are in the process of bringing new partners into the deal, but those have been unknown, even to Taylor, who if he’s to become a 20 percent partner, as initially was planned, would like to know the conditions. Taylor’s group on Jan. 3 requested pertinent information from the buyers without response.

Taylor remains the Timberwolves-Lynx owner and oversees all transactions. It’s been under his final say and direction that the Wolves have become the Western Conference’s co-leader.

— What’s especially interesting about the sale is that although Rodriguez and Lore plan to be majority owners, they’re not expected to own more than 24 percent of the team. The NBA requires only 15 percent, which is surprising.

There’s whispering that an outside equity firm is going to invest $300 million in the deal, but it won’t have decision-making rights. It would have investment value in a league where the average team now is worth an estimated $2.7 billion. Besides the equity firm, five limited investors are expected to join for a total 10 percent.

— Of note is that if Rodriguez and Lore were to buy Taylor out entirely, there is language in the sales agreement that the deal would be worth more than the original $1.5 billion price.

— One of the families that partnered last December to buy the Dallas Mavericks for $3.5 billion had contacted Taylor about buying the Timberwolves for considerably more than the $1.5 billion Rodriguez-Lore deal. But a condition was that the group could move the team to Las Vegas. Taylor declined.

Also, Mat Ishbia, who in 2022 bought the Phoenix Suns for a record $4 billion, inquired of Taylor about buying the Timberwolves and probably would have paid more than the $1.5 billion. The timing for that deal wasn’t right, though.

No doubt Rodriguez and Lore will demand a new arena in Minneapolis, but it’s likely they’re unaware of how long and challenging replacing Target Center would take. The pair might also be naive enough to think they could relocate the franchise, which several sources in the know say wouldn’t happen.

Probably don't want too many equity firms involved, profits are really the only thing important to them. Already a lot of complaints out of Dallas season ticket holders for massive price increases.

[Beef Supreme]

Charley Walters: Timberwolves buyers may need another extension

It still looks like the $1.5 billion sale of the Timberwolves and Lynx will happen. But up until at least last week, there was an awkward silence on behalf of the buyers.

The initial deadline for the sale to Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore was Dec. 31. Another deadline granted by owner Glen Taylor had been pushed back until this Thursday, presumably for Rodriguez and Lore to acquire more capital.

Don’t be surprised if yet another deadline is granted beyond Thursday.Charley Walters

Word is the buyers still need $600 million to close the deal. For a transaction of this magnitude, a lack of correspondence between the buyers and seller has been puzzling.

Taylor hadn’t heard from the buyers in at least a month, but he has remained patient. At age 82 he’s already a double-billionaire and hardly in need of cash.

— Rodriguez and Lore are in the process of bringing new partners into the deal, but those have been unknown, even to Taylor, who if he’s to become a 20 percent partner, as initially was planned, would like to know the conditions. Taylor’s group on Jan. 3 requested pertinent information from the buyers without response.

Taylor remains the Timberwolves-Lynx owner and oversees all transactions. It’s been under his final say and direction that the Wolves have become the Western Conference’s co-leader.

— What’s especially interesting about the sale is that although Rodriguez and Lore plan to be majority owners, they’re not expected to own more than 24 percent of the team. The NBA requires only 15 percent, which is surprising.

There’s whispering that an outside equity firm is going to invest $300 million in the deal, but it won’t have decision-making rights. It would have investment value in a league where the average team now is worth an estimated $2.7 billion. Besides the equity firm, five limited investors are expected to join for a total 10 percent.

— Of note is that if Rodriguez and Lore were to buy Taylor out entirely, there is language in the sales agreement that the deal would be worth more than the original $1.5 billion price.

— One of the families that partnered last December to buy the Dallas Mavericks for $3.5 billion had contacted Taylor about buying the Timberwolves for considerably more than the $1.5 billion Rodriguez-Lore deal. But a condition was that the group could move the team to Las Vegas. Taylor declined.

Also, Mat Ishbia, who in 2022 bought the Phoenix Suns for a record $4 billion, inquired of Taylor about buying the Timberwolves and probably would have paid more than the $1.5 billion. The timing for that deal wasn’t right, though.

No doubt Rodriguez and Lore will demand a new arena in Minneapolis, but it’s likely they’re unaware of how long and challenging replacing Target Center would take. The pair might also be naive enough to think they could relocate the franchise, which several sources in the know say wouldn’t happen.

I’m sure they will want a new arena, but it’s absurd to assert that they’re unaware of any challenges or have naïveté about relocation. Where is Charlie getting that? Charlie has information about that which is unavailable to Rodriguez and Lore? Really? Come on, Chuck…

[flexbuffchest]

Ugh oh, is the curse of Turd Taylor going to continue?

[jffl_commish]

GTFO, Glen!

[Jimi_Thing]

'Turd Taylor' kept the team in MN and brought MN those highly coveted Lynx Championships.

He was a terrible owner in many ways as far as the franchise's lack of success goes but at the end of the day, I ain't mad at him. The man kept the franchise in Minnesota. For that I'm very thankful.

Time will tell what this next group of turds bring to the table.

[somuchyummy]

Will it be A-Turd or Turd-Rod?

[Beef Supreme]

'Turd Taylor' kept the team in MN and brought MN those highly coveted Lynx Championships.

He was a terrible owner in many ways as far as the franchise's lack of success goes but at the end of the day, I ain't mad at him. The man kept the franchise in Minnesota. For that I'm very thankful.

Time will tell what this next group of turds bring to the table.

Yep.


Time for him to go. Probably past time. But if you enjoy the Wolves, you’ve got to acknowledge his contribution to that enjoyment. He not only kept the team here, but he balked at selling to new owners who wouldn’t promise to do the same.

[YBBR]

Ding Dong the witch is dead.

[jffl_commish]

Glen kept the team here. That's pretty much the only good thing he's done in his tenure.

[Jimi_Thing]

Glen kept the team here. That's pretty much the only good thing he's done in his tenure.

That’s a very, very, very good thing though. I don’t think that should go under appreciated.

He’s handing over a much better product to the new owners than what he took on.

[witljon]

Good riddance.

He kept them in Minnesota.

[Catalyst]

He also broke the NBA with kKG's contract.

[LordNu]

He also broke the NBA with kKG's contract.

And broke the TWolves with Joe Smith's.

[DonaldDouchebag]

Piss on him.

[flexbuffchest]

Glen kept the team here. That's pretty much the only good thing he's done in his tenure.

That’s a very, very, very good thing though. I don’t think that should go under appreciated.

He’s handing over a much better product to the new owners than what he took on.

But over two decades of compete ineptitude and being the main reason the Wolves are the worst franchise in all of NBA, NFL,MLB and NHL while also alienating the only relevant player (until recently) who happens to be one of the most loyal and best pf's in history kinda wipes away the good will he got from that.

Yet despite Turd Taylor doing his absolute best to trash KG he still remains loyal to this state and Wolves fans. KG is probably the only player in history that would still remain loyal and want to be apart of this franchise despite what Turd Taylor has done to him.

Thanks Taylor for saving the Wolves decades ago but you don't know how to run a competent franchise.

[Jack Soo 5]

GTFO, Glen!

How strong is their lasagna game?

[HeHateMe]

Glad Taylor's reign is over... will always acknowledge he saved the team here 30 years ago. And I am glad he searched for an ownership that says they'll keep the franchise here. Now we need Vegas and Seattle to get teams quick otherwise no new arena and this team is likely gone.

[aztimberwolves]

Glen kept the team here. That's pretty much the only good thing he's done in his tenure.

That’s a very, very, very good thing though. I don’t think that should go under appreciated.

He’s handing over a much better product to the new owners than what he took on.

But over two decades of compete ineptitude and being the main reason the Wolves are the worst franchise in all of NBA, NFL,MLB and NHL while also alienating the only relevant player (until recently) who happens to be one of the most loyal and best pf's in history kinda wipes away the good will he got from that.

Yet despite Turd Taylor doing his absolute best to trash KG he still remains loyal to this state and Wolves fans. KG is probably the only player in history that would still remain loyal and want to be apart of this franchise despite what Turd Taylor has done to him.

Thanks Taylor for saving the Wolves decades ago but you don't know how to run a competent franchise.

Amen!

I think he gets WAAAAYYY too much credit for keeping them in Minnesota. The NBA was totally against new ownership moving a team that had just come into existence just a few years back. That would have really been bad for the public perception of the NBA. They would have done anything to find another ownership group that would have kept the Wolves in Minnesota. Taylor was just the guy that happened at the right time. If it wasn't him, it would have been someone else.

He totally sucked as an owner and was happy with mediocrity as the teams ceiling. He never held ANYBODY accountable, especially McHale and was a god awful decision maker. He was part of the problem and wasted Garnett's years here that we could have won a championship with his apathy. Fuck him and don't let the door hit him on his ass on the way out.

[HeHateMe]

That’s a very, very, very good thing though. I don’t think that should go under appreciated.

He’s handing over a much better product to the new owners than what he took on.

But over two decades of compete ineptitude and being the main reason the Wolves are the worst franchise in all of NBA, NFL,MLB and NHL while also alienating the only relevant player (until recently) who happens to be one of the most loyal and best pf's in history kinda wipes away the good will he got from that.

Yet despite Turd Taylor doing his absolute best to trash KG he still remains loyal to this state and Wolves fans. KG is probably the only player in history that would still remain loyal and want to be apart of this franchise despite what Turd Taylor has done to him.

Thanks Taylor for saving the Wolves decades ago but you don't know how to run a competent franchise.

Amen!

I think he gets WAAAAYYY too much credit for keeping them in Minnesota. The NBA was totally against new ownership moving a team that had just come into existence just a few years back. That would have really been bad for the public perception of the NBA. They would have done anything to find another ownership group that would have kept the Wolves in Minnesota. Taylor was just the guy that happened at the right time. If it wasn't him, it would have been someone else.

He totally sucked as an owner and was happy with mediocrity as the teams ceiling. He never held ANYBODY accountable, especially McHale and was a god awful decision maker. He was part of the problem and wasted Garnett's years here that we could have won a championship with his apathy. Fuck him and don't let the door hit him on his ass on the way out.

Issues with the failed New Orleans move -- target center's debt, which the local state govt ended up funding I believe. But the owners still wanted out, New Orleans group was rejected by the league but the ownership was still up in the air with the team needing new owners. Glen lead a group eventually that bought the team and kept 'em here. If Glen doesn't emerge, they likely end up moving at some point. There was a long period of time they needed someone to step forward to keep them here.

[aztimberwolves]

But over two decades of compete ineptitude and being the main reason the Wolves are the worst franchise in all of NBA, NFL,MLB and NHL while also alienating the only relevant player (until recently) who happens to be one of the most loyal and best pf's in history kinda wipes away the good will he got from that.

Yet despite Turd Taylor doing his absolute best to trash KG he still remains loyal to this state and Wolves fans. KG is probably the only player in history that would still remain loyal and want to be apart of this franchise despite what Turd Taylor has done to him.

Thanks Taylor for saving the Wolves decades ago but you don't know how to run a competent franchise.

Amen!

I think he gets WAAAAYYY too much credit for keeping them in Minnesota. The NBA was totally against new ownership moving a team that had just come into existence just a few years back. That would have really been bad for the public perception of the NBA. They would have done anything to find another ownership group that would have kept the Wolves in Minnesota. Taylor was just the guy that happened at the right time. If it wasn't him, it would have been someone else.

He totally sucked as an owner and was happy with mediocrity as the teams ceiling. He never held ANYBODY accountable, especially McHale and was a god awful decision maker. He was part of the problem and wasted Garnett's years here that we could have won a championship with his apathy. Fuck him and don't let the door hit him on his ass on the way out.

Issues with the failed New Orleans move -- target center's debt, which the local state govt ended up funding I believe. But the owners still wanted out, New Orleans group was rejected by the league but the ownership was still up in the air with the team needing new owners. Glen lead a group eventually that bought the team and kept 'em here. If Glen doesn't emerge, they likely end up moving at some point. There was a long period of time they needed someone to step forward to keep them here.

Right. NBA stepped in and blocked the sale to New Orleans. Proving my point. They would have found an ownership group eventually to keep them in Minny. Taylor was the first one to step up but eventually someone would have because the NBA would have helped facilitate that.

[Beef Supreme]

Maybe there were some different factors, but the NBA didn’t stop the Grizzlies from moving from Vancouver to Memphis after only 6 or 7 years.

[Jimi_Thing]

Maybe there were some different factors, but the NBA didn’t stop the Grizzlies from moving from Vancouver to Memphis after only 6 or 7 years.

The iconic Seattle SuperSonics moved to OKC. Having an owner that doesn’t have a problem moving the team if the taxpayers don’t meet whatever he demands is something I’m thankful for. I feel people are being pretty naive when they say that any ownership group would still have the Wolves playing in Minnesota.

[Moses Scurry]

Maybe there were some different factors, but the NBA didn’t stop the Grizzlies from moving from Vancouver to Memphis after only 6 or 7 years.

The iconic Seattle SuperSonics moved to OKC. Having an owner that doesn’t have a problem moving the team if the taxpayers don’t meet whatever he demands is something I’m thankful for. I feel people are being pretty naive when they say that any ownership group would still have the Wolves playing in Minnesota.

Correct. If a new group is allowed to move the wolves, they will.

[Jimi_Thing]

Maybe there were some different factors, but the NBA didn’t stop the Grizzlies from moving from Vancouver to Memphis after only 6 or 7 years.

The iconic Seattle SuperSonics moved to OKC. Having an owner that doesn’t have a problem moving the team if the taxpayers don’t meet whatever he demands is something I’m thankful for. I feel people are being pretty naive when they say that any ownership group would still have the Wolves playing in Minnesota.

Correct. If a new group is allowed to move the wolves, they will.

And it doesn’t seem that difficult to do. Strip down the roster to remain below any luxury tax, essentially leaving Ant as a one man show similar to Dame in Portland or KG damn near his entire time in MN. Field a squad that might be good enough to achieve play in status, causing fan interest and attendance to plummet. Then put forth ridiculous taxpayer demands because you absolutely need a brand new stadium. Finally, prepare fans for the new look Nashville Timberwolves, where they have some shitty ‘new country’ act play their shitty ‘new country’ song at every halftime.

I’m starting to miss Turd Taylor already. Put his jersey up in the rafters! Thanks to him, there’s plenty of room!

[Moses Scurry]

Taylor may be an unskilled owner but I sure as hell think he did the best he could. He thought Wiggins was the future, many did, he wasn't. He thought if Joe Smith keeps Garnett happy and paves the way to wins, I'll do what it takes regardless of if it's illegal.

This team would have been gone 20 years ago if it wasn't for him.

[aztimberwolves]

Maybe there were some different factors, but the NBA didn’t stop the Grizzlies from moving from Vancouver to Memphis after only 6 or 7 years.

Apples and oranges in my opinion. A sleepy Canadian market with the Soncis just 90 miles away or so at the time, hard to get into for travel to an American market. Easy choice there

[aztimberwolves]

Maybe there were some different factors, but the NBA didn’t stop the Grizzlies from moving from Vancouver to Memphis after only 6 or 7 years.

The iconic Seattle SuperSonics moved to OKC. Having an owner that doesn’t have a problem moving the team if the taxpayers don’t meet whatever he demands is something I’m thankful for. I feel people are being pretty naive when they say that any ownership group would still have the Wolves playing in Minnesota.

Correct. If a new group is allowed to move the wolves, they will.

I don’t think so, at least not at that time. NBA blocked the sale to a smaller market in New Orleans. What other bigger markets were there to move to? NBA did not want to lose Minneapolis to some podunk market at the time.

[Beef Supreme]

Maybe there were some different factors, but the NBA didn’t stop the Grizzlies from moving from Vancouver to Memphis after only 6 or 7 years.

Apples and oranges in my opinion. A sleepy Canadian market with the Soncis just 90 miles away or so at the time, hard to get into for travel to an American market. Easy choice there

A depressed midwestern market that didn’t have basketball for 30 years, is more of a hockey/football town, is lagging in attendance, and isn’t far from Milwaukee anyway.


Would have been easy to justify pulling out of Minneapolis in 94 or so.

[aztimberwolves]

Maybe there were some different factors, but the NBA didn’t stop the Grizzlies from moving from Vancouver to Memphis after only 6 or 7 years.

Apples and oranges in my opinion. A sleepy Canadian market with the Soncis just 90 miles away or so at the time, hard to get into for travel to an American market. Easy choice there

A depressed midwestern market that didn’t have basketball for 30 years, is more of a hockey/football town, is lagging in attendance, and isn’t far from Milwaukee anyway.


Would have been easy to justify pulling out of Minneapolis in 94 or so.

Fair points. I just think the NBA was pot committed for whatever reason with the Wolves in Minny. Bill Sexton was supposed to buy them before Taylor and keep them here but financing fell through. Just seems the NBA was hell bent keeping them here and Taylor was the simple beneficiary of that mentality to me.