When to Expect Vote on Timberwolves Ownership Change; Will Glen Taylor Appeal?

The NBA is coming off their All-Star Weekend, and the Minnesota Timberwolves are back in action on Friday night vs the Houston Rockets. Off the court, though, we are still waiting for majority ownership of the Wolves to switch hands from Glen Taylor to investor extraordinaire, Marc Lore.

This, after an arbitration panel ruled in favor of Lore and Alex Rodriguez a couple of weeks ago, in an ongoing legal battle that ended with the new ownership group being awarded controlling ownership of the Wolves and Lynx, pending a 3/4 owners vote that has yet to be scheduled.

Minnesota Timberwolves ownership vote coming soon

It may seem like a small detail, and Lore is expected to have the votes he needs, but Wolves ownership cannot officially change hands until the vote actually takes place. So… when will that happen? According to insider Darren “Doogie” Wolfson, we are looking at the end of March, at the earliest.

“Adam Silver, at the podium over the weekend, saying all signs point to that Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez will get from the board of governors. The earliest we’re looking at though for a vote, it sounds like, is late March.”

Darren Wolfson on the Timberwolves sale vote (Skor North)

Back in late March of last year, when Taylor first pulled the rug out from under Lore and A-Rod, there was some questions surrounding whether or not the Minnesota Timberwolves sale would clear the ownership vote hurdle, even if they won the legal battle vs Taylor. That is not as big of a question, after months of Lore and A-Rod jockeying for votes.

In all likelihood, Wolfson is referring to the annual end-of-season ownership meeting, which usually takes place during a weekend near the end of the regular season, which is April 13, this year. Last season, the owners met from April 8-10, less than a week before the season ended on April 14, 2024.

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At 31-25, the Timberwolves have 26 games left in their regular season. Tim Connelly still must decide how he’s going to handle the NBA trade deadline. Minnesota closes out March with a home game before playing five-straight road games to open April. It could be fun to see the new ownership group ushered in before that road trip… but I wouldn’t count on it. Welcoming the team back with new owners, however, is very much possible.

Glen Taylor might still appeal to remain owner of the Timberwolves?

There was a time when it seemed as though Lore and Rodriguez could keep Glen Taylor on as a minority partner. Given how this whole situation has played out, it’s hard to believe they won’t attempt to buy him out completely. It remains to be seen if he’ll go quietly though.

Wolfson doesn’t see a clear path for Taylor to appeal, but the pettiness has been prevalent throughout the latter end of this process.

“Will Glen Taylor appeal? That’s the question, but to me, what exactly are you appealing? Are you really going to prove some sort of bias with the independent arbitrator Tom Fraser? Best of luck on that. I don’t think that’s a path to success…There are no signs Glen is going to appeal, but that’s the open-ended question. [Adam] Silver even alluded to that on Saturday.”

Darren Wolfson on Glen Taylor’s position (Skor North)

At some point it just becomes time to move on. Taylor hasn’t painted himself in the best light since reversing course on his sale. There’s really no reason to further drag out the process. There isn’t a path to him changing the decision, and the new Minnesota Timberwolves ownership group has little interest in continuing the charade.

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For the first time in franchise history, the MN Timberwolves will be owned by someone other than Taylor. That’s a monumental change for the organization, and him not being involved in any capacity would be that much more notable.

The next plans to put in motion should be figuring out a date to retire Kevin Garnett’s jersey and get that #21 hanging from the rafters.