Ownership of the Minnesota Timberwolves is changing hands after Marc Stad completed a deal to become the franchise’s controlling owner.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Stad bought Marc Lore’s controlling stake at a $4.5 billion valuation. Lore is now set to step back from his co-owner and co-chairman roles with the franchise.
NBA World Reacts to Marc Stad’s Massive $4.5 Billion Minnesota Timberwolves Shake Up
Marc Lore will be stepping back, while Alex Rodriguez, who serves as co-chairman, will retain his role with both the Timberwolves and the Minnesota Lynx.
The ownership shuffle sparked strong reactions on social media, with some claiming this to be a new era for the Timberwolves.
American business leader Marc Stad has completed a deal to become the controlling owner and largest shareholder of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx by buying the majority of co-owner Marc Lore’s stake at a $4.5 billion valuation, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/EUvuf9SGkQ
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 21, 2026
“That’s a massive ownership shakeup,” Clutch Numbers wrote. “Lore went from winning control of the Wolves/Lynx to selling most of his stake, and now Marc Stad is taking over at a $4.5B valuation. Minnesota’s entering a completely new era at the top.”
That’s a massive ownership shakeup. Lore went from winning control of the Wolves/Lynx to selling most of his stake, and now Marc Stad is taking over at a $4.5B valuation. Minnesota’s entering a completely new era at the top.
— Clutch Numbers (@ClutchNumbers) August 21, 2026
“This is great news. I was scared they had sold the Wolves as the Lakers got sold. Good to see Rodriguez INCREASED his equity, and Lore is still a large minority owner, and we have this Stad guy who already was a minority owner. Lately teams have just been selling to randoms.”
Others also exclaimed at the value that NBA franchises have reached recently.
“NBA ownership is becoming a whole different level of business….$4.5B shows how valuable these franchises have become,” one league observer opined.
NBA ownership is becoming a whole different level of business….$4.5B shows how valuable these franchises have become
— SBlockSpy (@SBlockspy) August 21, 2026
Some questioned whether the change in ownership would lead to more investment in Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves.
“This feels a lot more like an ownership handoff than a full reset,” an X user said. “Stad was already in the group, A-Rod is increasing his stake, and the current leadership stays in place. Now the only question Wolves fans should care about: is the new controlling owner willing to spend around Ant?
“So is everyone just flipping NBA teams now?” an observer asked.
“$4.5B is a huge valuation. Big ownership change for Minnesota; now it’ll be interesting to see what direction Stad takes,” another user commented.
$4.5B is a huge valuation. Big ownership change for Minnesota, now it’ll be interesting to see what direction Stad takes.
— Richie | Sports Talk (@rickky01) August 21, 2026
Stad’s acquisition also led to some fans asking about the rapid ownership changes around the league recently.
The Los Angeles Lakers have also undergone a major ownership change in less than a year. Mark Walter finalized his purchase of a majority stake in the team in October 2025 at a $10 billion valuation. Less than a year later, Walter agreed to sell his stake to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for $12.5 billion.
The Boston Celtics’ ownership has also changed hands within the last year, with Wyc Grousbeck’s ownership group selling its stake to Bill Chisholm’s group for $6.1 billion.
With the Timberwolves becoming the latest NBA franchise to undergo an ownership shift, the league continues to see record valuations and major shakeups at the top. For Minnesota, the focus will now be on what Stad’s ownership brings to the franchise.
