Teams/Northwest Division
Minnesota Timberwolves
Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez have controlled the Timberwolves since June 2025, after buying from Glen Taylor at a $1.5B valuation. Forbes values it at $4.18B; three groups have owned it since 1987, and an agreed sale of control to Marc Stad awaits NBA approval.
Every owner since the start
- PendingMarc Stad
Agreed on 21 August 2026 to buy most of Lore's stake at a $4.5B valuation for the Timberwolves and Lynx. Awaiting NBA approval; cash price undisclosed.
- 2025-todayMarc Lore and Alex Rodriguez
Bought from Glen Taylor in stages from 2021 at a $1.5B valuation for both teams. NBA approval came on 24 June 2025.
- 1995-2025Glen Taylor group
Bought from Ratner and Wolfenson in 1994-95 for $88.5M (another account says $94M).
- 1987-1995Harvey Ratner and Marv Wolfenson
Founded the team through NBA expansion; paid a $32.5M fee. NBA owners blocked their 1994 sale to New Orleans buyers.
Value over time
- 12025 Lore, Rodriguez take over, $1.5B
- 22026 Stad sale agreed, $4.5B
Show the numbers
| Year | Forbes value |
|---|---|
| 1998 | $119M |
| 1999 | $146M |
| 2000 | $169M |
| 2002 | $185M |
| 2003 | $213M |
| 2004 | $291M |
| 2005 | $303M |
| 2007 | $308M |
| 2008 | $301M |
| 2009 | $268M |
| 2011 | $264M |
| 2012 | $272M |
| 2013 | $364M |
| 2014 | $430M |
| 2015 | $625M |
| 2016 | $720M |
| 2017 | $770M |
| 2018 | $1.06B |
| 2019 | $1.26B |
| 2020 | $1.38B |
| 2021 | $1.55B |
| 2022 | $1.67B |
| 2023 | $2.5B |
| 2024 | $3.1B |
| 2025 | $3.6B |
| 2026 | $4.18B |
| Year | Sale | Team valued at |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Lore and Rodriguez buy first 20% at a $1.5B valuation, with the Lynx | $1.5B |
| 2022 | Lore and Rodriguez buy a further 20% at the $1.5B valuation (one account says 16% in 2023) | $1.5B |
| 2025 | Lore and Rodriguez take control from Glen Taylor at a $1.5B valuation, with the Lynx | $1.5B |
| 2026 | Marc Stad agrees to buy most of Lore's stake and control at a $4.5B valuation, with the Lynx | $4.5B |
Forbes valued the Timberwolves at $119M in 1998 and $4.18B in 2026, about 35 times as much. The biggest one-year jump was $830M, from $1.67B in 2022 to $2.5B in 2023.
How the current owner bought it
- In April 2021 Glen Taylor agreed to sell both teams in stages. Lore later said they paid his asking price without negotiating.
- The buyers took about 40% in the first two stages (36% on one account). Forbes estimated those payments at about $550M.
- Carlyle Group withdrew a $300M pledge in early 2024. A Blue Owl fund stepped in, and Michael Bloomberg joined on 6 June 2024.
- Taylor declared the deal dead on 28 March 2024 over a missed deadline. Arbitrators ruled 2-1 for the buyers in February 2025, Taylor did not appeal, and the NBA approved unanimously on 24 June 2025.
- Pending in 2026: the sale agreed on 21 August awaits NBA approval. Lore would keep a minority stake and Rodriguez would raise his. Forbes still listed it as pending on 17 October 2026.
Partners in the team
| Partner | Stake | Who they are |
|---|---|---|
| Marc Stad | undisclosed | Founder of investment firm Dragoneer; limited partner since 2021 |
| Michael Bloomberg | undisclosed | Joined in June 2024 |
| Eric Schmidt | undisclosed | Former Google chief executive; named as a limited partner by Yahoo Sports |
| Blue Owl HomeCourt Partners | undisclosed | Investment fund; took a minority stake in early 2024 |
How the team is run
- Lore is governor of record. Rodriguez is co-chairman, alternate governor and Lynx governor.
- If the sale is approved, Rodriguez would be the public face while Marc Stad keeps running Dragoneer.
- President Tim Connelly, general manager Matt Lloyd and coach Chris Finch are due to stay.
- Lore said in May 2026 that he paid about $100M in luxury tax, a league charge on high payrolls, for the previous season.
- The Target Center lease runs to June 2035, with a reported $50M early-exit penalty. The owners want a new arena; no site, cost or funding plan is published.
Quick answers
Who owns the Minnesota Timberwolves?
Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez have controlled the Timberwolves since June 2025, after buying from Glen Taylor at a $1.5B valuation. Marc Lore agreed in August 2026 to sell control to Marc Stad at a $4.5B valuation; it awaits NBA approval.
How much are the Minnesota Timberwolves worth?
Forbes values the Minnesota Timberwolves at $4.18B in its October 2026 list, up 16% from $3.6B a year earlier. That makes them the 28th most valuable of the 30 teams; in 1998 Forbes put the team at $119M.
How much did the current owner pay for the Timberwolves?
$1.5B valuation, set in 2021 (Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez, 2025). Forbes now values the team at 2.8 times that price.
Who owned the Minnesota Timberwolves before the current owner?
Glen Taylor group (1995-2025). Bought from Ratner and Wolfenson in 1994-95 for $88.5M (another account says $94M).
Open questions
- NBA approval and closing of the Stad sale: not confirmed as of 28 October 2026. A vote was expected on 15-16 September 2026, and the league's meeting summary does not mention it.
- Stakes of Stad, Rodriguez, Lore and the limited partners, and how Stad is paying: undisclosed.
- Whether Glen Taylor kept any stake: unverified.