Alex Rodriguez Opens Up About Ownership Plans for Minnesota Lynx
With his ownership team's purchase of the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves, Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore also will have their hands involved in the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx. Rodriguez, who made a name for himself in the MLB world, has been involved in getting him and Lore in position to become owners of both pro sports organizations.
Advertisement
While Rodriguez might see a need to have more of a hands-on approach with the Timberwolves, that's not the case with the Lynx. The Timberwolves are still seeking their first NBA title while the Lynx have racked up four WNBA crowns with head coach Cheryl Reeve at the helm.
Rodriguez, in an interview with The Athletic, talked about plans and strategy for running the Lynx operations. He and Lore have been owners-in-waiting for a period of time. Now, the shackles have been taken off of them, so to speak.
'Cheryl's done an incredible job,' Rodriguez said. 'I mean, she's really built a dynasty there. So our job is to give her budgets and let her run as fast as she can.'
Advertisement
Getting more fans interested in Lynx, Timberwolves at same time might deserve focus from Rodriguez, Lore
One area of focus that Rodriguez and Lore might look at is improving overlap attention between Timberwolves and Lynx fans. According to The Athletic story, there's only a nine percent overlap in following how both teams are performing on the court.
'With the W, it's been running full speed ahead,' Rodriguez said. 'So our job is to really kind of just get out of the way. Then the business is gonna have a lot more of our hands.
"We're gonna roll up our sleeves, hire a CEO, bring in a person that Marc and I feel has the same capability as (Timberwolves president of basketball operations) Tim (Connelly), so we can copy and paste what we've done in basketball and do it in business, and then we should be off to the races.'
Advertisement
It's been a banner season for the Lynx, who are 19-4 at this time. Reeve keeps pushing the right buttons for her team and Napheesa Collier is in position to pick up a WNBA MVP award at season's end. When looking at the WNBA franchise at this point, it's hard to find too many weaknesses on the team.
'We're very excited about this year right now, where we have an opportunity to win a title,' Rodriguez said. 'Napheesa Collier is a front-runner to be MVP, and we have a fan base that's been embedded there for years and years with four titles. Cheryl has been there for about 16 years, and she's one of one. She's a Hall of Famer. She's a proven winner.'
Rodriguez and Lore don't expect to be sitting on their hands with the Lynx. They'll look to make sure, as owners, that the team has what it needs to compete now and into the future.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
How to watch the WNBA Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest, Friday's All-Star festivities
'All the stars approach you,' as SZA once belted out. To paraphrase, a Dream might let us know … but so might a Spark, or a Mystic, or even a Fever. The 2025 WNBA All-Star proceedings begin Friday night. The league's top playmakers will dribble and pass through an ornate obstacle course in the Skills Challenge, and then the best long-range shooters will let it rip in the 3-Point Contest. Even though Caitlin Clark (groin) is unable to give it a go in Friday's shootout and Saturday's All-Star Game, there's still a lot to look forward to. Here's what you need to know about the forthcoming broadcasts, this year's participants and all the past winners. How to watch WNBA All-Star Friday Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse — Indianapolis Time: 8 p.m. ET TV: ESPN Streaming: Fubo (try for free) Watching in person? Get tickets on StubHub. This broadcast will also be available on ESPN+. First up is the Skills Challenge. Dribblers will be asked to throw bounce, chest and outlet passes, then shoot from the elbow, corner and top of the arc. This year's field is entirely comprised of WNBA veterans. Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream) is the youngest contestant at age 30; she's up to the highest scoring average of her nine-year run, and won the 2024 edition over finalist Sophie Cunningham. Elsewhere, Natasha Cloud (New York Liberty), Erica Wheeler (Seattle Storm) and Courtney Williams (Minnesota Lynx) have all played a full decade in the W, and each guard is enjoying a late-career renaissance with competitive teams. The headliner is Skylar Diggins, the six-time All-WNBA force who leads Seattle in points and assists. All of these Skills Challenge newcomers will be eager to dethrone Gray. Up next is the 3-Point Contest, a timed and frantic perimeter shoot-around with five racks. Each made trey is worth one point, with a bonus-point 'money ball' at the end of the first four racks. The fifth shooting spot from the far corner is exclusively money balls, and predictably, that's where the competition takes its dramatic swing. There are also two 'Starry balls' from way outside, each worth three points. The two top finishers advance to a second round for a title tilt. Clark, Indiana's hometown superstar, has endured an injury-ridden second season with the Fever. Sadly, lingering injuries will keep her out of the 3-point showdown. Fans can still marvel at defending champ Gray — the only player competing in both events and the only player in league history to sweep them the same year — plus decorated stars Sabrina Ionescu (Liberty) and Kelsey Plum (Los Angeles Sparks). The field is rounded out by stellar rookie Sonia Citron (Washington Mystics), who is making 36.5 percent of her 3-point attempts on high volume. The 21-year-old Notre Dame product could be a fixture in this format for the next decade or so. Ionescu won in 2023. Plum (second), Gray (fourth) and Ionescu (fifth) all rank in the top five in made 3s this season. 2025 Skills Challenge participants Natasha Cloud, LibertySkylar Diggins, StormAllisha Gray, DreamErica Wheeler, StormCourtney Williams, Lynx Skills Challenge winners 2003 — Dawn Staley2005 — Sue Bird2006 — Seimone Augustus2007 — Becky Hammon2009 — Cappie Pondexter2010 — Renee Montgomery2019 — Diamond DeShields2022 — Sabrina Ionescu2023 — Kelsey Plum and Chelsea Gray2024 — Allisha Gray 2025 3-Point Contest participants Sonia Citron, MysticsAllisha Gray, DreamSabrina Ionescu, LibertyKelsey Plum, SparksCaitlin Clark's replacement TBD 3-Point Contest winners Ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Seattle Storm, Los Angeles Sparks, Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream, Indiana Fever, WNBA, Sports Betting, Fubo Partnership, WNBA Highlights 2025 The Athletic Media Company
Indianapolis Star
15 minutes ago
- Indianapolis Star
I took on the Indy Hoops Pass challenge. Here's what I discovered about basketball in Indy
Coming from Texas and Chicago, I never knew how core basketball is to Indy. But then I found myself in Indianapolis this summer when the city is hosting the WNBA All-Star Game. This weekend felt like the perfect time to learn everything I can about Indianapolis and basketball, so I signed up for the Indy Hoops Pass, a self-guided tour through hoops history that runs through All-Star weekend. My pass took me from iconic courts to hidden basketball-themed art installations throughout Indy, and it's safe to say: in Indy, basketball is more than a sport. The idea behind the Hoops pass is simple: visit basketball-themed locations around Indianapolis, scan the QR codes on the ground, and rack up points for prizes (each location is worth 100 points). But finding those codes? Not as easy as it I embarked on a crash course on Indy basketball, learning about the game one stop at a time. I visited one of the oldest college basketball arenas still in use, Butler's Hinkle Fieldhouse. I checked the bust of longtime Butler coach Tony Hinkle, then peered into the building that's hosted buzzer-beaters, milestone games — including Butler's 1929 title — and the final scenes of iconic sports film 'Hoosiers.' Fittingly dubbed 'Indiana's Basketball Cathedral,' Hinkle felt sacred. Next up: the 'Free Basket' installation at the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park at Newfields. This funky collection of sculptural hoops blends art and play in unexpected ways — a perfect example of basketball as both science and expression. Hoops meet sculpture. Art meets game. But I almost did not find the well-hidden QR code here. I had to wander a while before finally spotting it. Almost missed it entirely. Downtown Indy was buzzing. Crews were hanging banners, the Nike pop-up across the Morris Bicentennial Plaza was coming together, and even the sidewalks were decked out in orange — carpet included. I had to check out Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the Pacers and Fever. All around the area were larger-than-life murals of Caitlin Clark, some tucked into alleyways, others wrapped around full buildings like one big love letter to basketball. All along, I kept my eyes peeled for those QR codes. Pro tip: slow down and look twice. I stopped by The Sports Legend Experience at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, where one towering dinosaur wore a whistle and another posed mid-dribble with an orange basketball, ready to sub in. In Indy, basketball and the Hoops Pass, is for everyone to enjoy, it seems, from toddlers to T. rexes. One of the more powerful moments came at the downtown statue that honors Indiana native and coach John Wooden. More than a photo op, Wooden's Legacy provides a reminder of how basketball's roots in Indy go far beyond the action. Values like discipline and humility were passed down through coaches like Wooden; he didn't just coach basketball, he coached character. The Indy Hoops Pass isn't just about basketball. It's about art, history, and the little discoveries you'll make along the way. It challenged me to slow down and explore new corners of the city. This wasn't just about prizes (although everyone loves free stuff); my pass showed me a side of Indianapolis I hadn't fully appreciated. Basketball here isn't just a sport, it's a reason to paint a wall or build a museum exhibit or lace up your shoes and try something new.
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cameron Brink's injury recovery gets optimistic update from Sparks coach Lynne Roberts
The post Cameron Brink's injury recovery gets optimistic update from Sparks coach Lynne Roberts appeared first on ClutchPoints. With the midway point of the 2025 WNBA regular season approaching, one of the biggest questions surrounding the Los Angeles Sparks is when Cameron Brink will return from injury and rejoin the team's lineup. Brink suffered a season-ending ACL injury during her rookie year and has not yet been cleared to play. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, once Cameron Brink returns from her injury, she'll give the Sparks a potential generational defensive player in the middle. And per Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts, the hope is she will make her return sooner rather than later. Following a recent team practice, Roberts affirmed her belief that Brink could be back shortly, as per John W. Davis of The Southern California News Group. 'Hopefully we get her back before the end of this month, but we'll see when it actually is,' Roberts said. 'It's gonna take some time, but again, I've been saying all season, let's peak in August. And I think Cam provides a little bit of a boost. Not just on the court, but just kind of the confidence it brings to all of us having a player like that back.' In addition to Roberts' update, Brink was spotted participating in a separate 5-on-5 session with the Sparks' male practice players, as per Davis. That's certainly a welcome sign for Sparks fans and falls in line with the belief that she could be nearing a return. In a possibly related move, the Sparks cut veteran center Mercedes Russell on Saturday, clearing what would have become a crowded frontcourt rotation. Russell has been the primary backup big all season behind Azurá Stevens and Mercedes Russell. But with the contract guarantee deadline coming up next week, as well as WNBA teams being able to sign players to 7-day contracts, the move to waive Russell could just be to give the team a little roster flexibility. When Brink does return, her defensive ability is potential game-changer. Roberts is quite familiar with Brink's exploits having coached against her in the old Pac-12 at Utah when Brink was at Stanford. 'We all need to have patience with that, she's been out for 15 months, that's hard to just jump in and hit the ground running where you left,' Roberts said. 'Her defensive timing, she understands it, she's elite defensively. Offensively I think she just gives us a boost for us as well.' Last year as a rookie, Brink appeared in 15 games, all starts, at a little over 21 minutes per game. She averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.3 blocked shots with splits of 39.8 percent shooting from the field, 32.3 percent shooting from the three-point line and 84 percent shooting from the free-throw line. Brink's return will likely come after the All-Star Break. She was already ruled out for the team's game against the Connecticut Sun on Sunday, and it's unlikely she plays on Tuesday against the Washington Mystics. Related: Sparks make surprising roster move on WNBA champion Related: Julie Vanloo reveals 'rock bottom' feeling before Sparks signing
