Mat Ishbia, Potential Twins Co-Buyer, Clearly Understands The Assignment

[Eric Blonigen]

Mat Ishbia just might be the anti-Pohlad. I don’t mean that he’s showing up to Phoenix Suns games with signs that say “Defund the Pohlads”. That wouldn’t make sense, since he’s part of a potential buyer’s group. He just seems to do things differently. Intrigued? Great. Let’s dig in.

Image courtesy of © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Recently, I wrote a piece imploring Twins ownership and business operations to look at fan engagement, and suggested the place to start is by “taking their hands out of our wallets”. It seems like Mat Ishbia is on board with that premise. Today, he tweeted this:

He followed that up by saying, “A family of 4 used to spend $98 on hot dogs/water/popcorn. Now they can enjoy that same meal for $24. Our fans and community are the foundation of what we do, and we will continue to invest in making this the best organization in all of basketball, on and off the court.”

This message tells fans in no uncertain terms that ownership understands it’s expensive to come to a game, and they want to make it more appealing and affordable for fans to spend many evenings watching Kevin Durant and Devin Booker work their magic. As a lifelong Twins fan, this approach is incredibly exciting, and leads to some wish-casting about the future.

Before you compare this concessions, er, concession (sorry) to the Target Field family sections, the Phoenix Suns appear to be doing this on a much larger scale, and will include more options. And they're not the first sports team to do so. The Atlanta Falcons and Hawks have done similar price reductions, and reported an increase in overall sales as a result. The Utah Jazz are also jumping on the bandwagon.

Simply put, Ishbia’s decision and general mentality show an understanding of market forces, and a desire to grow the customer (fan) base. Compare that with the current ownership and business operations group's milquetoast attempts to feign interest in doing the same, and it’s easy to draw the conclusion that the Ishbia brothers a new breed.

I won’t rehash Cody Christie’s great breakdown of the Ishbia brothers and their approach to other sports-related challenges. You can read here how they handled TV carriage disputes and local blackouts. Spoiler? Anti-Pohlad. Seriously, check it out.

Look, this piece isn’t meant to be an anti-Pohlad screed. There’s some sense they haven’t been super interested in running the team for a while now. In some ways, that even makes a little sense. Jim Pohlad didn’t buy the team. Neither did his nephew Joe. The Twins are one of their many businesses, and they may view owning the Twins as a bit of an albatross, a chain around their neck—preventing them from investing in and managing their other businesses in the way they would like.

In fact, it’s fair to recognize that the Pohlad family has shown themselves to be great at a few things, at least as it pertains to sports franchise ownership. Unfortunately, those things are more than offset by the way they prioritize the short-term bottom line, alienating fans, and taking a tone-deaf approach in their statements to the media.

The Ishbia brothers, on the other hand, have shown that (at least when it comes to running a sports franchise) they see things differently. Their experience in running very successful businesses that generate immense profits seems to have helped them build expertise in scaling companies up and increasing valuations. Sometimes. that includes reducing the short-term profit margin to increase the long-term one.

So far, they have been treating their professional sports teams the way multi-billionaire owners probably should—with a farsighted approach that prioritizes winning and fan engagement. They have made big signings and trades, invested heavily, and taken short-term losses to engage fans and build a winner that the community is proud of. Mat is on record saying about the Suns: "We're not focused on money, we're focused on winning." If you don’t try to win in sports, what’s the point? Could that approach be any more anti-Pohlad?

It’s obviously impossible to predict the future, and it’s entirely possible that the Pohlads sell the Twins to a different group, or don’t sell at all. It’s also important to recognize that lowering concessions costs, spending big on free agents, and broadcasting games free of charge may not be the Ishbia approach to driving attendance for Twins games, even if they do buy the team. The NBA is run differently than MLB, and Justin, the likely primary buyer, is not Mat. He may run things differently. However, if Twins fans squint just a bit, they can see some potential changes ahead, should a sale go through to a group fronted by the anti-Pohlad Ishbias.

If we're lucky, perhaps a year from now, this long-suffering fanbase may once again feel like their love of the Twins is reciprocated and that ownership is legitimately trying to drive attendance and engagement. Invest in the team, commensurate with market size; bring fans back to the ballpark; go all-in to win when it makes sense. That’s the assignment, for any anti-Pohlad ownership group, and the Ishbias seem to reflect an understanding of it. Let's make a deal!

 

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[nicksaviking]

These brothers do sound like the 'meddling' kind of owners. That's usually not good when it comes to winning championships. 

But if they are going to appeal to the fans with lower prices and better free agents it might be worth the meddling.

[LambchoP]

Well, they can't be any worse than what we have can they? If they prioritize the fans and winning games over money, that would be a massive step in the right direction into earning the trust of Minnesota 's fanbase back.

[In My La Z boy]

Anybody remember knot-hole games?

I grew up in the left field bleachers at the old Met 😀

Make the games affordable and kid friendly. My Dad used to drop us off and we'd spend the whole day at the park w/5 bucks eating frosty Malts w/a wooden spoon!

[TopGunn#22]

There is no "down side" to the Ishbia brothers ending our time in baseball purgatory with the Pohlad ownership philosophy.  NONE.  In our wildest Twins fever dream we would have just this type if scenario where "winning" and "fan engagement" would be the priority rather than "profitability and right-sizing."  

[nicksaviking]

7 minutes ago, In My La Z boy said:

Anybody remember knot-hole games?

I grew up in the left field bleachers at the old Met 😀

Make the games affordable and kid friendly. My Dad used to drop us off and we'd spend the whole day at the park w/5 bucks eating frosty Malts w/a wooden spoon!

They kept knothole games through much of the Metrodome years too. 

Though, for most of the 1990s they couldn't give tickets away. As bad as those teams were, it was fun to spend cheaply at the park and basically pick whichever seat you wanted.

[In My La Z boy]

4 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

They kept knothole games through much of the Metrodome years too. 

Though, for most of the 1990s they couldn't give tickets away. As bad as those teams were, it was fun to spend cheaply at the park and basically pick whichever seat you wanted.

I still have the polaroid's from hanging around the 1st baseline before games of Rod Carew taking infield. I can't imagine the same experience under the Humphrey Dome on a Sunny Day. We have such a glorious field now we need to fill it up. Seems every business has, and believes in "Loss Leaders" to attract customers. They must drop ticket prices, drastically in my opinion. Make it up somewhere else!

[Riverbrian]

I appreciate the article.

However, I worry a little about suggesting the Bolshoi Ballet after watching someone line dance to Copperhead Road.   

The price of hot dogs is a nice gesture. The press release is the marketing of the nice gesture. The price of hot dogs will influence revenue... just like the marketing will influence revenue.

As mentioned in the article. The two leagues are two different animals.

The NBA does not have the revenue disparity that MLB has. That revenue disparity is unique to baseball and that disparity is an elephant sized influence of operational decisions shadowing any attempt to compare the two leagues. 

Until... I am shown differently by action.

I still believe that the new owners will eventually be Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old boss due to baseball market forces creating similar ranges. 

While we wait to see what happens with new ownership. If the Ishbia's want to impress me. In Arizona, Where's the deal on Sonoran Hot Dogs? 

[nicksaviking]

4 minutes ago, In My La Z boy said:

I still have the polaroid's from hanging around the 1st baseline before games of Rod Carew taking infield. I can't imagine the same experience under the Humphrey Dome on a Sunny Day. We have such a glorious field now we need to fill it up. Seems every business has, and believes in "Loss Leaders" to attract customers. They must drop ticket prices, drastically in my opinion. Make it up somewhere else!

Yeah, the Metrodome was a dump.

But because they had that awful, injury inducing turf, when they retired Carew's number, I got to watch him drive around the stadium in a convertible that the Twins gave to him. Can't imagine they'd have done that on a nicely manicured grass field!

[USNMCPO]

31 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Yeah, the Metrodome was a dump.

But because they had that awful, injury inducing turf, when they retired Carew's number, I got to watch him drive around the stadium in a convertible that the Twins gave to him. Can't imagine they'd have done that on a nicely manicured grass field!

I remember the days of the bull pen convertible delivering relief pitchers to home plate at the Met.

[Original_JB]

Well, they're following along..... https://www.si.com/mlb/twins/minnesota-twins-news/new-social-media-follows-buzz-about-potential-twins-owner-justin-ishbia-01jfba0149rx?fbclid=IwY2xjawHROfFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHXdb5xTdbZ77eGAeac0p5t-jvQIvwbavSjc6lG6G3oD6a3Mw2sI1nwU7IQ_aem_V7Fx3Jac0FfgQ8zw5kkZBw

[TheLeviathan]

3 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

These brothers do sound like the 'meddling' kind of owners. That's usually not good when it comes to winning championships. 

But if they are going to appeal to the fans with lower prices and better free agents it might be worth the meddling.

If the meddling is all in service to fans....I think I could get used to a long stretch where ownership doesn't nickel and dime us.  Even if it never pulls of a title.

[Doctor Gast]

1 hour ago, Original_JB said:

Well, they're following along..... https://www.si.com/mlb/twins/minnesota-twins-news/new-social-media-follows-buzz-about-potential-twins-owner-justin-ishbia-01jfba0149rx?fbclid=IwY2xjawHROfFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHXdb5xTdbZ77eGAeac0p5t-jvQIvwbavSjc6lG6G3oD6a3Mw2sI1nwU7IQ_aem_V7Fx3Jac0FfgQ8zw5kkZBw

How refreshing! a Twin Owner who's invested in the team, who takes interest in how the team is run, who loves the game, who wants to grow the team & fanbase, who wants to win. Too bad we have we have to suffer through another offseason until that happens.

[dxpavelka]

The Ishbias have owned the Suns for just shy of 2 years.  For those of us old enough to be considered dinosaurs, think back to the first 8 years the Pohlads owned the Twins.  Things move fast.  And not always in the direction you want them to.

[Dr Katz]

The Ishbia group will lower food prices for fans shortly before they move our Twins to Arizona. 

[Riverbrian]

3 hours ago, Original_JB said:

Well, they're following along..... https://www.si.com/mlb/twins/minnesota-twins-news/new-social-media-follows-buzz-about-potential-twins-owner-justin-ishbia-01jfba0149rx?fbclid=IwY2xjawHROfFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHXdb5xTdbZ77eGAeac0p5t-jvQIvwbavSjc6lG6G3oD6a3Mw2sI1nwU7IQ_aem_V7Fx3Jac0FfgQ8zw5kkZBw

This post is only for Justin Ishbia. 

 

[Parker Hageman]

This is in no means a defense of the current ownership but the reaction to Ishbia's post from Twins twitter yesterday was odd: The Twins had 3 sections that offered affordable concession options.

Not all of it was as cheap as the $2 menu but the choices were aplenty (more items than what the Suns have presented), the food was not miniature or tainted (as far as I know), and the self-service part was great when going to the game with small children (no need to wait in line). 

https://x.com/HagemanParker/status/1869570446758379816

Understandably, Mat Ishbia did a much better job with the messaging. And given the state the current ownership has left the fan base, it makes sense that people would embrace a new option as saviors. But the affordable concession pricing is already a thing at Target Field. 

Now if they buy the Twins AND bring back Dollar Dome Dog night, sonofabitch I'm in. 

[Jocko87]

5 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

I appreciate the article.

However, I worry a little about suggesting the Bolshoi Ballet after watching someone line dance to Copperhead Road.   

The price of hot dogs is a nice gesture. The press release is the marketing of the nice gesture. The price of hot dogs will influence revenue... just like the marketing will influence revenue.

As mentioned in the article. The two leagues are two different animals.

The NBA does not have the revenue disparity that MLB has. That revenue disparity is unique to baseball and that disparity is an elephant sized influence of operational decisions shadowing any attempt to compare the two leagues. 

Until... I am shown differently by action.

I still believe that the new owners will eventually be Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old boss due to baseball market forces creating similar ranges. 

While we wait to see what happens with new ownership. If the Ishbia's want to impress me. In Arizona, Where's the deal on Sonoran Hot Dogs? 

But the leagues are also different animals in that this hasn’t been tried in a league where good seats are always available.  The NFL and NBA are all technically sellouts, I’m fascinated to see how this works in baseball where attendance is desperately needed and capacity is abundant.  If it drives the slightest bit of attendance on top of the volume increase it would be a home run.  

[Jocko87]

4 hours ago, Original_JB said:

Well, they're following along..... https://www.si.com/mlb/twins/minnesota-twins-news/new-social-media-follows-buzz-about-potential-twins-owner-justin-ishbia-01jfba0149rx?fbclid=IwY2xjawHROfFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHXdb5xTdbZ77eGAeac0p5t-jvQIvwbavSjc6lG6G3oD6a3Mw2sI1nwU7IQ_aem_V7Fx3Jac0FfgQ8zw5kkZBw

Justin, opening Twins Daily.

[Original_JB]

Yeah, with where we're at with the Twins seemingly neverending ineptitude in their messaging, just straightforward plain talk seems like a pitcher of cool water to a thirsty man in the desert. On the "messaging" front, has anyone noticed the spelling error on the Twins/MLB postings on Facebook? Whoever does their social media, did a series of "don't miss your change to see the Twins play 'team x' this summer".  Supposed to be "chance", but they didn't proofread it, then cut,pasted, and posted it repeatedly. Ooops. 

[Vanimal46]

5 hours ago, Parker Hageman said:

This is in no means a defense of the current ownership but the reaction to Ishbia's post from Twins twitter yesterday was odd: The Twins had 3 sections that offered affordable concession options.

Not all of it was as cheap as the $2 menu but the choices were aplenty (more items than what the Suns have presented), the food was not miniature or tainted (as far as I know), and the self-service part was great when going to the game with small children (no need to wait in line). 

https://x.com/HagemanParker/status/1869570446758379816

Understandably, Mat Ishbia did a much better job with the messaging. And given the state the current ownership has left the fan base, it makes sense that people would embrace a new option as saviors. But the affordable concession pricing is already a thing at Target Field. 

Now if they buy the Twins AND bring back Dollar Dome Dog night, sonofabitch I'm in. 

The difference being that instead of 3 sections at Target Field, it will be implemented throughout the stadium with a couple of loss leader products. At a baseball game that should be hot dogs, bottled water, peanuts, popcorn, etc. 

I appreciate the Pentair (TM) water refill station and the water fountains but that’s pushing out lukecold (if that’s a word) water in the summer time. 

[Old Twins Hat]

Hey Mat,

When you buy the team, please get them to turn down the music/slop sounds that they play between and during innings at the stadium.  It inhibits conversation and makes talking to fellow Twins' fans all but impossible.  It ain't Minnesota nice to blast 10,000 people because your organization is too afraid to let people discuss the topic of what's happening on the field.  It ain't pretty and the fans have things to say.

[Parker Hageman]

31 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

The difference being that instead of 3 sections at Target Field, it will be implemented throughout the stadium with a couple of loss leader products. At a baseball game that should be hot dogs, bottled water, peanuts, popcorn, etc. 

Not to get into the minutia here but I have yet to see a write-up saying how many stands these are going into — they do say “the $2 menu is available at concession locations throughout Footprint Center” which isn’t specific.

Should there be more locations in Target Field with the family-friendly pricing? Sure. Maybe. I still found the Twins’ menu to be a good offering and was fine walking to the outfield concourse. 

 

But let’s remember, this whole gambit started by the Falcons 8 years ago and they found that while they initially expected to lose about $4 million on sales, they actually made more money because people wound up buying more. 

So, yes, lowering the prices is a fan-friendly gesture but the owners now know the economics of it entice people to spend more. 

[Whitey333]

Let's not forget here that as of this moment the Ishbias are not even close to buying the team.  I don't think they are close to making an offer.  So please let's not talk as if they are the new owners of the Minnesota Twins.  Even if an offer gets made and accepted it still must be approved by MLB and there appeals to be some owners not too excited about it.  Remember ownership once decline Mark Cubans bid to own a MLB team.

[Trov]

Mat Ishbia says all the right things for fans and has backed it up some.  However, there is a huge difference between NBA and MLB when it comes to revenue.  In NBA they split the revenue either 50/50 or very close.  Meaning when the game grows both sides see money and they share it.  

In MLB there is no sharing, both sides fight for the biggest piece of pie they can get.  Neither care about fans or growing the sport, they care about taking what they can and see the fans as way to line their pockets. Players have gone to the point to argue that money not made on baseball, but made from owning things near the stadiums that would not make as much money if there was not games should go to the players too.  They have at least limited it to businesses the owners own and not knocking on doors of other business demanding fees for playing games. 

NBA learned that when you get fans engaged and following the sport it helps everyone in the sport.  MLB has long fought between the players and owners to get as much as they could, at the fans expense for years. 

[bean5302]

7 hours ago, Whitey333 said:

Let's not forget here that as of this moment the Ishbias are not even close to buying the team.  I don't think they are close to making an offer.  So please let's not talk as if they are the new owners of the Minnesota Twins.  Even if an offer gets made and accepted it still must be approved by MLB and there appeals to be some owners not too excited about it.  Remember ownership once decline Mark Cubans bid to own a MLB team.

Yeah, baseball owners pushed hard to keep Cuban out over the past 15 years, but the landscape of baseball has changed a lot. If the Ishbia's start making some progress on their attempt, part of me now wonders if Cuban would come back around since he's (was at least) a huge baseball fan. Possibly unfortunate that he's pursued the Cubs previously so Cuban might be more in on the White Sox. I don't like the idea of a competent owner being in charge of the south siders.

[laloesch]

22 hours ago, Jocko87 said:

But the leagues are also different animals in that this hasn’t been tried in a league where good seats are always available.  The NFL and NBA are all technically sellouts, I’m fascinated to see how this works in baseball where attendance is desperately needed and capacity is abundant.  If it drives the slightest bit of attendance on top of the volume increase it would be a home run.  

I would argue that the major reason for MLB's impending decline is the severe lack of parity between all the different franchises and not affordable seats and concessions, although it is a factor to a certain extent. 

Everyone knows MLB is rigged to a certain extent with all the big market teams getting all the good players eventually, because they have unlimited resources compared to the mid and small market franchises.  That turns A LOT of potential fans off.  Why should I watch and root for a franchise that will ALWAYS be at a major financial disadvantage to the Dodgers, the Yankees, the Mets, etc.?  I'm sorry, but MLB either commits to a salary cap at some point or this league slowly dies, it's inevitable.  It is going to be a slow death, and it will likely accelerate as the baby boomers and their long adult kids age out, but eventually the fans drift away and it drives the sport into the ground.

The other major factor is length of games.  This subject has been beaten to death here on the forums but it is 100% true.  MLB needs to stay on it and keep the games to 2-1/2 hours or less.  Prior to 2023 / 2024 the length of games had reached absurd levels, of 3+ hours which honestly was ridiculous.  Very few of us in our busy lives can consistently follow a sports team for an entire season (which they rely on for revenue) and watch 1/2 or even 3/4 of the games.  It's just not practical when you have family obligations, a job, etc.  Each game 3+ hours during the week?  Not gonna happen.   MLB needs to adapt to the modern era or it will continue to loose fans and eventually disappear altogether.

[mrcharlie]

I expect the Brothers are here reviewing.

I lived in both Arizona (25 yrs) and Minnesota (17).  I know something about the fans in each area.  MN folks are much more attached to their upper Midwest roots and mentality...in a good way.  Arizona fans come from all over (many still root more for the Cowboys in football) and come out to watch the other teams just as much as the home teams.  Twins fans are loyal. Twins fans want a team that represents them. Twins fans want players who appreciate that loyalty and reflect in their play. Twins fans love the ones who spend the off-season living in Minnesota...ice fishing, winter carnivals, trying lutefisk (sp?).  Arizona fans could care less about all that.  Just win; or the AZ fan is off to golfing, hiking, rock climbing, Bungie jumping, or Rocky Point.  Arizona fans are much more fickle is my point. 

So, brothers...take care of these MN Twins fans and they will adore you.  Of course it will help if one of you lives here all year long and learns to like ice fishing.  I tried it and failed in grand fashion, but that is only part of the reason I moved to sunny Arizona!!

[Parfigliano]

On 12/19/2024 at 1:30 PM, Dr Katz said:

The Ishbia group will lower food prices for fans shortly before they move our Twins to Arizona. 

I don't  think AZ has room for another MLB team

[bean5302]

1 hour ago, laloesch said:

I would argue that the major reason for MLB's impending decline is the severe lack of parity between all the different franchises and not affordable seats and concessions, although it is a factor to a certain extent. 

Compare any of the other big 3 sports to MLB in terms of turnover when it comes to teams making or advancing in the playoffs. I've done this in the past, and none of the sports were as competitive as baseball, especially considering the playoffs hadn't been expanded as far as they are now. It does feel like the Dodgers are breaking the game a bit at this point, but otherwise, plenty of turnover still.