Last Updated on June 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The Minnesota Timberwolves joined the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1989, bringing professional basketball back to Minnesota after the departure of the Lakers nearly three decades earlier. Since their founding, the franchise has had only a few principal ownership groups, with each overseeing a distinct chapter in team history.
Harvey Ratner and Marv Wolfenson (1989–1994)
Businessmen Harvey Ratner and Marv Wolfenson were awarded the NBA expansion franchise that became the Minnesota Timberwolves. As founding owners, they launched the team in 1989 and helped reestablish the NBA in Minnesota. Financial difficulties eventually led them to sell the franchise.
Glen Taylor (1994–2025)
Minnesota businessman Glen Taylor purchased the Timberwolves in 1994, preventing a proposed relocation and ensuring the team remained in the state. Taylor became the longest-serving owner in franchise history, overseeing more than three decades of Timberwolves basketball.
During his tenure, the franchise experienced the Kevin Garnett era, reached its first Western Conference Finals in 2004, and later built around stars such as Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards. Taylor also acquired ownership of the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, creating a shared basketball ownership structure in Minnesota.
Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez (2025–Present)
Entrepreneur Marc Lore and former Major League Baseball star Alex Rodriguez completed their acquisition of the Timberwolves in 2025 after a multi-year purchase process. The ownership transition marked the beginning of a new era for the franchise, with Lore serving as controlling owner and Rodriguez as a principal partner.
The group inherited a team positioned as a contender in the Western Conference and committed to building on the organization’s recent success.
Minnesota Timberwolves Ownership Timeline
| Owner | Years |
|---|---|
| Harvey Ratner & Marv Wolfenson | 1989–1994 |
| Glen Taylor | 1994–2025 |
| Marc Lore & Alex Rodriguez | 2025–Present |
The Timberwolves have enjoyed relatively stable ownership throughout their history. From founders Harvey Ratner and Marv Wolfenson to longtime owner Glen Taylor and the current group led by Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez, only three ownership eras have shaped the franchise since its debut in 1989.