MLB Legend Alex Rodriguez Reveals How Lakers Icon Magic Johnson ‘Pulled the Trigger’ on His $1.5 Billion Timberwolves Deal with Marc Lore
In a monumental shift for the NBA, former Major League Baseball star Alex Rodriguez, alongside entrepreneur Marc Lore, has officially taken the reins as co-owners of the Minnesota Timberwolves, its WNBA affiliate Minnesota Lynx, and G-League’s Iowa Wolves in a $1.5 billion deal finalized in June 2025. The acquisition, which marks Rodriguez as the NBA’s first Hispanic owner, has been years in the making, with a complex and at times contentious journey to ownership. At the heart of this achievement lies a pivotal figure: Lakers legend and business mogul Magic Johnson, whom Rodriguez credits for inspiring and igniting his vision to transition from athlete to franchise owner.
Rodriguez, a 14-time MLB All-Star known for his 696 career home runs, has long been a prominent figure in sports and business. His journey into NBA ownership began with a dream sparked nearly three decades ago during a transformative meeting with Magic Johnson in 1996. At just 21 years old, Rodriguez, then a rising star with the Seattle Mariners, sat down with Johnson, who had recently retired from the NBA. The meeting, arranged by Johnson’s agent Lon Rosen, was a turning point. Rodriguez recalls being inspired by Johnson’s business acumen and his trailblazing role as a minority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers from 1994 to 2010. “I saw Magic wearing a suit and tie,” Rodriguez told Andscape. “I said, ‘That was a guy I can relate to. He looks like me. He came from the bottom like me.’”
Johnson’s influence was profound. Having attempted to lead an African-American ownership group to purchase the Timberwolves in 1994—an effort that ultimately fell through—Johnson instead became a minority owner of the Lakers. This move resonated deeply with Rodriguez, who saw in Johnson a model for breaking barriers in sports ownership. “When Magic became a Lakers minority owner, it kind of ignited my vision,” Rodriguez said. “‘Why not me? Why not you? Why not us?’” This spark, nurtured over years, led Rodriguez to pursue ownership with a determination to represent “Black and brown” communities, a commitment rooted in his Dominican heritage.
The path to owning the Timberwolves was far from straightforward. Rodriguez and Lore, a serial entrepreneur known for selling ventures like Diapers.com and Jet.com for billions, began their acquisition journey in 2021. They agreed to purchase the Timberwolves and Lynx from longtime owner Glen Taylor in a three-part deal, initially acquiring a 36% stake. However, in March 2024, Taylor attempted to halt the sale, citing missed payment deadlines, leading to a heated arbitration process. Rodriguez and Lore, backed by heavyweight investors like Michael Bloomberg and Eric Schmidt, persevered. A February 2025 arbitration ruling favored them, and Taylor chose not to appeal, paving the way for the NBA Board of Governors’ unanimous approval of the $1.5 billion sale in June 2025.
Rodriguez has emphasized that this acquisition is no mere hobby. “This is the most important thing in my life, outside of my family,” he said at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas in July 2025. Drawing inspiration from his time under New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, Rodriguez aims to instill a winning culture, famously quoting Steinbrenner’s mantra: “The only thing more important than winning is breathing.” With Lore as Timberwolves governor and Rodriguez as alternate governor (roles reversed for the Lynx), the duo is already planning innovations, including a new ticketing platform called Jump and discussions about a new arena to replace Target Center.
The Timberwolves, coming off back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances led by star Anthony Edwards, face a critical offseason with key players like Julius Randle and Naz Reid approaching free agency. Despite a hefty $90 million luxury-tax bill, Rodriguez and Lore are committed to building a sustainable contender. Their vision extends beyond the court, aiming to mend ties with former star Kevin Garnett and deepen community ties in Minnesota.
Magic Johnson, now a billionaire with a vast business empire, celebrated his protégé’s milestone on X, writing, “I’m excited about today’s announcement that my friend Alex Rodriguez and his partner Marc Lore became the sole owners of the Minnesota Timberwolves!” For Rodriguez, this moment is not just about ownership but about paying it forward. He now spends significant time mentoring athletes, particularly people of color, echoing the guidance Johnson provided him. As Rodriguez steps into this new era, his journey from a young baseball star to NBA owner underscores the power of vision, mentorship, and resilience in reshaping the landscape of professional sports.
