A hum descended on Minneapolis in early April 2025, as news outlets flashed the final chapter of a multi-year legal standoff: Glen Taylor, the Minnesota Lynx owner, would not challenge the arbitration panel’s ruling granting full ownership of the Timberwolves and Lynx to business mogul Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore.
What began as a landmark $1.5 billion sale agreement in 2021 spiraled into missed payments, a high-stakes arbitration, and an NBA Board of Governors vote that loomed like playoff pressure.
For the Lynx, the verdict marked more than a change of hands—it heralded a new era under owners whose credentials span from World Series rings to tech unicorns.
The New Owners of the Minnesota Lynx and the Team’s History
The Minnesota Lynx debuted in 1999 as part of the WNBA’s first expansion, entering Target Center with a modest 15–17 record that first year. Glen Taylor bought the Timberwolves for $94 million, followed by attaining the ownership of the Lynx five years later.
Under founder‐owner Taylor, the Lynx endured lean early seasons and reached the semifinals in 2003 and 2004, but lost in both. From 2005 to 2010, the team didn’t even manage to qualify for the playoffs.
Everything changed in 2010 when Cheryl Reeve took the reins as head coach and president. Lynx brought in Maya Moore with the 2011 draft pick, and Reeve created a lethal trio with Moore, guard-forward Seimone Augustus, and Lindsay Whalen.
Between 2011 and 2017, Minnesota captured four WNBA titles (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017), appearing in seven conference finals and cementing itself as a model franchise.
To date, the Lynx have qualified for the postseason in 15 of 26 seasons, blending homegrown stars like Moore and Whalen with elite coaching before both retired in 2018. In 2024, Minnesota reached the WNBA Finals again but lost the championship to the New York Liberty.
Meanwhile, in September 2021, Taylor agreed to sell the majority stakes of both teams (Timberwolves and the Lynx) to Rodriguez and Lore, structured in phases. When the buyers missed a March 2024 payment tied to the deal’s third tranche, Taylor declared the contract void.
Rodriguez and Lore countered, citing NBA approval delays, and both sides entered binding arbitration in January 2025. A three-member panel ruled in February that the buyers had satisfied contractual obligations, entitling them to full ownership.
Facing the prospect of federal court and potential reputational fallout, Taylor elected not to appeal on April 2, 2025, clearing the path for the NBA Board of Governors to formalize the transfer for a combined sale price of $1.5 billion.
After years long battle, Glen Taylor and Marc Lore-Alex Rodriguez have agreed to complete full ownership to Lore-Rodriguez, sources tell ESPN. Taylor will not appeal Minnesota arbitrators that ruled in favor of Lore-Rodriguez in February. NBA will start transfer process. https://t.co/lceVytrj9i
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 2, 2025
According to Forbes, the Minnesota Timberwolves were valued at $3.1 billion as of October 2024, ranking 28th among NBA franchises, with $305 million in annual revenue and $71 million in operating income reported that year.
Meanwhile, Sportico’s inaugural 2024 WNBA valuations list the Lynx at $85 million—tied for seventh in the league—with estimated revenue of $13 million. League-wide, WNBA franchises collectively command $1.16 billion in value, paving the way for further financial upside.
Minnesota Lynx’s Grand 2025 Season Opening Amidst New Ownership
Former MLB star Rodriguez brings a champion’s mindset from his storied baseball career, while Lore blends tech entrepreneurship with sports investment experience. The duo has added billionaires Mike Bloomberg and Eric Schmidt to the ownership group, enhancing financial firepower for player development, facilities, and community outreach.
On the court, the ownership saga took a back seat as the 2025 Lynx roared to life. Minnesota opened the regular season with back-to-back road victories. A 99–84 triumph in Dallas on May 16, then an 89–75 win against the Los Angeles Sparks two nights later.
Napheesa Collier’s 34 points against the season-opening game ensured Minnesota’s win against Dallas, while she poured in 23 points against the Sparks on May 18.
The Lynx now looks for a rematch with the Dallas Wings on May 21 at the Target Center.
