There is a need for more commitment financially, in both good times and bad. The Pohlads have been unwilling to offer that for most of their time as Twins owners. The best move they could have made this offseason was to fire themselves, and that’s effectively what is happening.
Although that decision should be a significant positive for the fanbase and organization moving forward, it comes with the caveat, “who’s going to buy the Twins”? Whoever the new owners are, they must be willing to invest in their team. Concern themselves more with building a championship roster, not just what they bring in financially, year-over-year. So… who makes sense as the next Minnesota Twins owner(s)?
Wilf Family could expand business in Minnesota
Zygi Wilf purchased the Minnesota Vikings in 2005 from Red McCombs. Mark and Leonard Wilf are also owners of the franchise. NFL revenues are unmatched, in comparison to Major League Baseball, but the Vikings’ owners could have an interest in a franchise that may not cost them much more than double the $600 million they paid for the Vikings.
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Expectations suggest the Twins valuation to be around $1.5-to-1.7 billion. The latter figure would be nearly three times what the Wilf’s paid for their NFL franchise, but inflation has obviously impacted the market over the past 20 years. There is also a level of uncertainty as to how waning attendance and lesser television revenues will impact any deal.
The Wilf’s have shown a commitment to Minnesota far beyond their original purchase. U.S. Bank Stadium was the first building erected, and the TCO Performance Center in Eagan is now being supported with plans for additional revenue generating real estate. If there is a party already tied to the state that would be near-ideal, than billionaire Zygi Wilf is likely among the top of that list.
Could Marc Lore (plus A-Rod) switch focus to the Minnesota Twins?
Alex Rodriguez played more than 1,500 games for the New York Yankees across 12 seasons. He belongs in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and produced an incredibly impressive playing career. Across 150 career games against Minnesota, his 1.020 OPS is better than every team but the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Angels. Effectively, he made a career of owning the Minnesota Twins.
Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Hated when he was in the opposing dugout, Rodriguez has become a celebrated member of the state as he attempts to buy the Minnesota Timberwolves with partners Marc Lore and Michael Bloomberg. That deal has hit multiple snags and there is serious doubt as to whether it comes to fruition.
Rather than remain part owners, the trio could pull out and pivot to a sport Rodriguez is infinitely more familiar with. It remains to be seen if Major League Baseball, the owners, and Rob Manfred would approve of a sale to Rodriguez, given his well-documented steroid history.
Still though, this group would present the greatest sum of money if Bloomberg remains aboard , and they have already breathed new life in to the Timberwolves. Lore is the majority partner there despite Bloomberg’s worth. Each of the other names represent more of a figurehead presence. That could help ease potential concerns from the league.
Are the Twins Mark Cuban’s chance in baseball?
When the Minnesota Twins seek out a new owner, the Pohlad family will be looking to extract the most amount of money. Of course, the bottom line has been how they have focused the daily functions of the franchise for years . Mark Cuban represents an ideal option from a fan perspective, in that he has always shown a substantial interest in the ventures he ties himself to.
He has been seen as someone Major League Baseball wants to keep out, as he would challenge the status quo when it comes to multiple different facets of ownership. However, the addition of Steve Cohen as Mets owner may have altered that thought process.
It remains to be seen if Cuban has an interest in being a sports owner at all again. He already reached the mountaintop in basketball though , and bringing a World Series to Minnesota would be quite the feather in his cap.
With a process expected to take around six months, there should be multiple names that make it out publicly. Fans should want a combination of wealth and interest that results in a desire to compete on a yearly basis going forward.
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