Twins’ New Ownership Groups May Include Familiar Billionaires

Ten months after the Minnesota Twins went up for sale, the Pohlad family abruptly took them off the market, sparking outrage and fan backlash. The Pohlad family has made a habit of failing the fanbase, which made the news less shocking. It’s not a shock they’d publicly embarrass themselves with the handling of their team sale.

Ultimately, they pulled back on the planned sale after a couple investor groups offered a cash infusion , in exchange for a minority stake in the team, that allowed the Pohlads to pay off the mountain of debt they’ve compiled in recent years.

But who are these new minority partners? The public has not been made privy to that information yet. But we do know that there is a local angle to one of the groups. The other is from the east coast. One familiar billionaire family who would fit both categories — the Wilfs, who own the Minnesota Vikings.

Minnesota Vikings owners eyeing up the Minnesota Twins?

Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound like the Mark and/or Zygi Wilf are in on either of the Twins’ new ownership groups. But that doesn’t mean they won’t be buying into the local nine down the road. According to Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press , he “wouldn’t be surprised” if the Wilfs “consider becoming limited partners.”

Does that mean, by the time this is over, there will be a third investor group announced… or, could the Wilfs’ interest be focused toward 2027, when Walters believes the Twins could go back up for sale? Is it possible they are part of the two that haven’t been announced, even? The longtime local insider doesn’t say…

Also, some smart people wouldn’t be surprised if Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf, who have built a real estate empire in Eagan and operate out of New Jersey, consider becoming limited partners in the Twins.

Pioneer Press

If we were playing the opposite game, the Wilf family would be the perfect opposite for the Pohlads. While the Wilf’s spending is capped in the NFL. It would not be in the MLB… at least not yet. What does that mean? As minority investors, probably nothing.

The biggest problem for Joe Pohlad and his family, during their selling window, was the imminent 2026-27 lockout that is looming over the league. Major League Baseball’s financial model is struggling, in part due to its lack of a salary cap or revenue sharing structure with players. Next winter, it’s expected to force a lockout.

If owners get what they want, we could see the first soft salary cap or worthy luxury tax system in MLB history. For decades, owners have failed to make the MLBPA flinch on introducing any sort of salary cap to Major League Baseball. Thus, critics remain skeptical that they’ll succeed this time around.

More local billionaires who may be involved in Twins sale

The Wilf’s aren’t the only local rich family eyeing up the Minnesota Twins. Another is Marty Davis, president of Cambria, a Minnesota company. He’s a huge Twins fan. While he’s assured Charley that he’s not buying the team… Walters suggests there’s no way he’d miss out on the opportunity to purchase a smaller chunk.

Cambria president Marty Davis, who is a substantial name, image and likeness (NIL) Gophers athletics financial booster, is telling people he’s not interested in buying the Twins. But Davis, a Twins Champions Club member whose family’s worth has been estimated at nearly $2 billion by Forbes, loves baseball, and it would be surprising if he doesn’t get involved in an ownership transaction.

Pioneer Press

Related: Report: Minnesota Twins Owners Still Plan to Sell

Marty Davis, along with Mark and Zygi Wilf, have all proven themselves as in the business world. The Wilf’s have poured money into the Vikings and paired that financial investment with fine-tuned operation, to churn out success both on the field and on the balance sheets

While Davis isn’t the same prominent figurehead, his desire as a fan combined with his financial wherewithal, could prove to be fruitful as well. At any rate, it doesn’t matter who, because anyone would be better than the Pohlads.