Who owns the Minnesota Lynx? As of 2026, the four time WNBA champions are controlled by Alex Rodriguez, who serves as governor of the franchise, alongside Marc Lore, his business partner and alternate governor.
The pair also owns the NBA Minnesota Timberwolves, purchasing both teams together in a single package deal from longtime owner Glen Taylor.
Their ownership group also includes limited partners Michael Bloomberg and Eric Schmidt, two of the wealthiest men in the country.
The sale closed in June 2025 after a bruising, multi year legal fight that many in the sports business world compared to a courtroom drama worthy of a television script.
What actually happened between Glen Taylor and the Rodriguez Lore group, and why did it take arbitrators to settle it? The full story is stranger than most fans realize.
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Who Is The Owner Of The Minnesota Lynx In 2026
The Minnesota Lynx are officially owned by an investment group led by Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore. Rodriguez holds the title of governor for the Lynx, while Lore serves as alternate governor for the team, a mirror image of their roles with the Timberwolves, where Lore is governor and Rodriguez is alternate governor.
Below is a quick reference table with the essential facts about the franchise and its current ownership.
| Team | Minnesota Lynx |
| Current Owner | Alex Rodriguez (governor) and Marc Lore (alternate governor) |
| Parent Group | Rodriguez Lore ownership group, with limited partners Michael Bloomberg and Eric Schmidt |
| Valuation | About 320 million dollars (Forbes, 2026) |
| Founded | 1999 |
| League | WNBA |
| Arena | Target Center, Minneapolis |
| Championships | Four WNBA titles: 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 |
Who Owned The Minnesota Lynx Before Alex Rodriguez
Before Rodriguez and Lore took over, the Minnesota Lynx belonged to Glen Taylor, a businessman who bought the Timberwolves in 1994 and then added the Lynx when the WNBA franchise was founded in 1999.
Taylor is widely credited with keeping both teams in Minneapolis and investing in the Lynx during years when many WNBA franchises struggled to turn a profit. Under his ownership the Lynx became one of the most successful franchises in league history, winning four championships between 2011 and 2017.
Taylor first agreed to sell control of both teams back in April 2021, but that agreement turned into one of the messiest ownership transitions in modern American sports.
How Alex Rodriguez And Marc Lore Took Control Of The Minnesota Lynx
Rodriguez and Lore first struck a deal with Taylor in 2021 to purchase a majority stake in the Timberwolves and Lynx for roughly 1.5 billion dollars, paid out in installments as the pair worked toward full ownership.
Along the way, Taylor grew frustrated with what he viewed as delays and disputes over the payment schedule. In 2024 he attempted to void the agreement and keep control of the franchises, arguing the buyers had missed contractual deadlines.
Rodriguez and Lore disagreed, and the fight moved into private arbitration rather than open court. The case became a closely watched test of how binding a handshake style sports sale agreement really is.
An arbitration panel ultimately sided with Rodriguez and Lore, ruling that they had met their obligations and were entitled to complete the purchase. Taylor chose not to appeal the ruling, clearing the path for a final sign off.
The NBA board of governors unanimously approved the sale of the Timberwolves and Lynx to the Rodriguez Lore group on June 24, 2025, officially ending Taylor era ownership of both franchises.
Did Alex Rodriguez Buy The Minnesota Lynx Alone
No. Alex Rodriguez did not buy the Minnesota Lynx by himself. He purchased the team jointly with longtime business partner Marc Lore, and the wider ownership group includes several other investors who hold smaller, limited partner stakes.
The graphic below breaks down who holds what role across the ownership group.
Governor, Minnesota Lynx
Alternate Governor, Minnesota Lynx; Governor, Minnesota Timberwolves
Limited Partner
Limited Partner
A Timeline Of Minnesota Lynx Ownership From Glen Taylor To Today
The path from Glen Taylor to Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore stretched across three decades and included one of the longest ownership transitions in modern sports history.
Taylor purchases the Minnesota Timberwolves for about 88 million dollars.
The Minnesota Lynx join the WNBA under the Taylor ownership umbrella.
The Lynx win their first WNBA title under Taylor ownership.
Minnesota claims its fourth championship, cementing a dynasty run.
Taylor agrees to sell control to Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore.
Taylor challenges the deal and the sides head to private arbitration.
Arbitrators rule for Rodriguez and Lore, and the NBA board of governors unanimously approves the purchase in June.
What Is The Minnesota Lynx Valuation In 2026
Forbes valued the Minnesota Lynx at about 320 million dollars in its 2026 WNBA valuations report, a 39 percent jump from the prior year and enough to place the team ninth among the league’s twelve franchises.
The team generated roughly 21 million dollars in revenue during the 2025 season, part of a broader surge in WNBA franchise values driven by new media deals, rising attendance, and expansion interest across the league.
You can read the full Forbes WNBA valuation report for a franchise by franchise breakdown of the league’s growing financial picture.
Where Do The Minnesota Lynx Play Home Games
The Minnesota Lynx play their home games at Target Center in downtown Minneapolis, the same arena used by the Timberwolves. Sharing a venue and an ownership group keeps the two franchises tightly linked, from ticketing to sponsorship deals.
For readers curious how other Minnesota franchises are structured, our guide to who owns the Minnesota Twins covers a very different ownership setup in the same sports market.
Minnesota Lynx Championships And Legacy Under New Ownership
The Lynx are one of the most decorated franchises in WNBA history, winning championships in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017 behind stars such as Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus, Lindsay Whalen, and Sylvia Fowles.
According to the team’s official history on Wikipedia, that four title run remains one of the most successful stretches by any team in the modern WNBA era.
Rodriguez and Lore inherit a roster and fan base built during the Taylor years, and much of their early public messaging has focused on continuing that winning culture rather than rebuilding from scratch.
Is Alex Rodriguez A Good Owner: Is The Minnesota Lynx Ownership Really Worth It
Supporters point to real strengths. Rodriguez built a media and technology business after his playing career, and Lore has a track record founding companies including Jet.com and Wonder, giving the pair genuine experience scaling consumer facing brands, something the WNBA badly needs as it grows.
The ownership group has also publicly committed to investing in the Lynx as a standalone priority rather than treating it as an afterthought to the Timberwolves, a promise that matters given how many WNBA teams historically received less attention than their NBA counterparts.
Critics, however, note that the years long legal fight with Glen Taylor created uncertainty for players, staff, and season ticket holders, and that neither Rodriguez nor Lore had ever owned a professional sports franchise before this deal closed.
ESPN’s coverage of the NBA approval of the sale noted that some fans remained cautious given how drawn out and contentious the process became before final approval.
Whether the ownership proves worth it will likely depend on results on the court and continued investment in the Lynx specifically, not just the higher profile Timberwolves.
Are The Minnesota Lynx For Sale In 2026
No. The Minnesota Lynx are not for sale in 2026. Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore only completed their purchase of the franchise in June 2025 after years of legal wrangling, and there is no public indication either owner intends to sell any time soon.
Given the WNBA’s rising valuations, most analysts expect the Lynx to remain under Rodriguez and Lore ownership for the foreseeable future, barring any major surprise.
Fans looking for other major league ownership breakdowns can also check our explainer on who owns the NFL to see how a different professional league structures its franchises.
Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota Lynx Ownership
Who Is The Owner Of The Minnesota Lynx
Alex Rodriguez is the governor and controlling owner of the Minnesota Lynx, alongside alternate governor Marc Lore and limited partners Michael Bloomberg and Eric Schmidt.
Did Alex Rodriguez Buy The Minnesota Lynx
Yes. Alex Rodriguez, together with Marc Lore, purchased the Minnesota Lynx and Minnesota Timberwolves from Glen Taylor in a deal the NBA approved in June 2025.
What Is The Minnesota Lynx Valuation
Forbes valued the Minnesota Lynx at approximately 320 million dollars in 2026, ranking the franchise ninth among WNBA teams by value.
Who Owned The Minnesota Lynx Before Alex Rodriguez
Glen Taylor owned the Minnesota Lynx from the franchise founding in 1999 until the Rodriguez Lore group completed its purchase in 2025, following an agreement first reached in 2021.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.