Former MLB Star Set to Become Primary Owner of NBA Franchise

Along with his partner Marc Lore, former Major League Baseball standout Alex Rodriguez is set to gain controlling ownership interest of the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves. He would have the interest in the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA.

Per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:

ESPN Sources: Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez are expected to exercise their option to acquire controlling ownership interest of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx from Glen Taylor as soon as today. They have a Dec. 31 deadline.

ESPN Sources: Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez are expected to exercise their option to acquire controlling ownership interest of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx from Glen Taylor as soon as today. They have a Dec. 31 deadline. pic.twitter.com/qCYnBZJ0pG
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 28, 2023

"Woj," as he's known in NBA circles, added the following:

The action formalizes intent to purchase additional 40 percent of franchise from Taylor and give Lore and Rodriguez 80 percent of teams and the majority ownership by early 2024.

The purchase is subject to approval for the NBA Board of Governors.

From a financial standpoint, this gives Rodriguez huge power. From a practical standpoint, he'll have the ability to help make major decisions as it relates to the T'Wolves and Lynx spending and personnel moves.

Minnesota is currently one of the best stories in the NBA, having the best record in the Western Conference. They've never won an NBA championship. The Lynx have.

Back to Rodriguez, he's one of the most talented and complicated players in MLB history.

A former No. 1 pick in the draft, Rodriguez put together a Hall of Fame career - one which he derailed after admitted steroid use and suspension.

As a result of that scandal, he hasn't made the Baseball Hall of Fame yet, but he has undergone a fascinating public perception facelift through his broadcasting work with ESPN and FOX over the last several years. Owning the Timberwolves and getting even more public face time should help further the image makeover.

All in all, Rodriguez spent 22 years in the big leagues with the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and New York Yankees. He starred for Seattle from 1994-2000, Texas from 2001-2003 and the Yankees from 2004-2016, minus the 2014 season when he was suspended.

He was a 14-time All-Star, a two-time Gold Glover, a 10-time Silver Slugger, a three-time MVP and a batting champion.

He led the league in home runs in five different seasons, including hitting 57 in 2002. He led the league in RBIs twice, slugging four times and OPS twice.

He also helped the Yankees win the World Series in 2009 by beating the Philadelphia Phillies.

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