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Glen Taylor, owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves passes a ball before the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the San Antonio Spurs on November 15, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. ((Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images))
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Glen Taylor sent a letter to Minnesota Timberwolves’ season ticket-holders this week, explaining his recent absence from Target Center.
Before you read anything more into it, Taylor says he recently had hip replacement surgery. That’s why he and his wife, Becky, have not been at their usual courtside seats.
"Although we deeply miss being there to cheer on the team alongside all of you, we’re excited about the direction our team is heading," Taylor said. "Becky and I want to thank you, the greatest fans in the world, for your unwavering support."
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Why it matters
Away from basketball, Taylor is in an ownership dispute with Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore. It’s been contentious enough that it went to mediation court last month, and is now in the hands of arbitrators. Taylor said back in March that the Timberwolves are no longer for sale, after negotiating a transition with Rodriguez and Lore that would take two-plus years and multiple payments to close.
Rodriguez and Lore made a payment in late March, which Taylor said was past deadline, and the situation went to the NBA’s Borad of Governors for approval. Taylor likely wants to keep the team as majority owner, as it’s gained value since they agreed to sale in 2021 of $1.5 billion.
It appears Taylor's absence from Target Center is unrelated to the ownership situation.
What’s next
That ruling will take months to figure out. Taylor currently sits courtside, not far from coach Chris Finch and the Timberwolves’ bench. Lore sits just a few seats down from Taylor. Rodriguez typically sits courtside on the opposite side, near the baseline. The three tend not to engage conversation during Timberwolves’ home games.
Taylor says he’ll be back at Target Center soon. The Timberwolves host the L.A. Lakers Friday night.