Marc Stad Takes Control of Timberwolves and Lynx in $4.5 Billion Deal

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx are changing hands again after a deal that reportedly values the NBA and WNBA franchises together at $4.5 billion, or about £3.3 billion. BBC Sport reported that American businessman Marc Stad has moved from minority investor to controlling owner by purchasing most of co-chairman Marc Lore’s stake.

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Stad will take a leading position alongside Alex Rodriguez, Lore’s business partner and the former Major League Baseball star. Rodriguez confirmed the transaction on Friday and said both he and Marc and Elisa Stad would increase their investments. He said he intends to remain co-chairman, continue as governor of the Lynx and serve as alternate governor of the Timberwolves, with those arrangements still subject to league approval.

The reported valuation places the transaction among the biggest ownership deals in NBA history. According to ESPN, which reported the agreement before Rodriguez issued his statement, the $4.5 billion figure would make it the league’s fourth-largest franchise sale. The sum is a valuation of the combined franchises rather than a disclosed cash price for the portion of Lore’s holding acquired by Stad.

The change follows a lengthy earlier transfer of the Minnesota teams. Lore and Rodriguez first invested in 2021 under an agreement that valued the Timberwolves and Lynx at $1.5 billion, approximately £1.1 billion, and provided a path to full ownership. BBC Sport said they took full control last year. Stad had already been involved as a minority investor before agreeing to acquire the controlling position.

Rodriguez described Stad as an existing partner and friend in his announcement while making clear that his own involvement would deepen rather than end. The confirmed structure therefore leaves Rodriguez in senior roles with both teams, while Lore gives up the controlling stake that Stad is buying. League approval remains an important qualification on the stated governance appointments.

The Minnesota agreement is the second major NBA ownership change reported this month. BBC Sport said it follows the record-breaking sale of the Los Angeles Lakers last week. For the Timberwolves and Lynx, the immediate development is a shift in control and a sharply higher reported valuation only a year after Lore and Rodriguez completed their prior purchase process.