The Minnesota Timberwolves ownership dispute has taken a new turn, with mediation scheduled for May 1. This mediation will determine whether Glen Taylor remains controlling owner or cedes control to Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez. The dispute stems from Taylor’s decision to exercise his right to withdraw from the final stage of the deal, alleging that Lore and Rodriguez missed the deadline for a $600 million payment. Lore and Rodriguez, however, maintain that they met the deadline and are entitled to a 90-day extension, as per the contract.
Commissioner Adam Silver has indicated that the NBA is unlikely to intervene in the dispute. In 2021, Lore and Rodriguez agreed to purchase the Timberwolves and the Minnesota Lynx WNBA franchise from Taylor for $1.5 billion. Taylor, who had owned the team since 1994, structured the deal in phases to mentor the new owners. Lore and Rodriguez currently own 36% of the club.
Silver has suggested that the dispute may prompt the NBA to revise its rules around such transactions to prevent future conflicts. Despite the dispute, Taylor, Lore, and Rodriguez were seen interacting cordially at a recent playoff game, raising speculation about a potential resolution.
