Businessman Marc Stad has secured a majority stake in the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx for a significant $4.5 billion. This transaction ranks as the fourth-largest in NBA history, all of which have occurred in the last 17 months.
In 2021, Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez purchased the Timberwolves for approximately $1.5 billion, with plans to gain full control by June 2025. However, Lore sought to withdraw from the venture and has recently negotiated with Stad to acquire the majority of his shares.
Approval Pending for Stad’s $4.5 Billion Purchase
According to ESPN, the deal awaits approval from the NBA Board of Governors during their upcoming meeting scheduled for September 15-16. Elisa Stad, Marc’s wife, is expected to take on the role of governor for the Timberwolves, while Rodriguez will serve as governor for the Lynx.
This $4.5 billion deal is notable, following the record sales of the Boston Celtics for $6.1 billion and the Los Angeles Lakers, which sold for $10 billion and $12.5 billion respectively. All these high-profile transactions have transpired in the recent 17 months.
In the 2025-2026 season, the Minnesota Timberwolves posted a record of 49 wins and 33 losses, finishing sixth in the Western Conference. They were eliminated in the Western Conference semifinals by the San Antonio Spurs with a 4-2 defeat.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Lynx currently boasts the best record in the WNBA with 30 wins and 7 losses this season.
Marc Stad is the founder and manager of Dragoneer Investment Group. His wife, Elisa Stad, co-founded the Stad Center for Pediatric Pain, Palliative, and Integrative Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.
