NEWS: Pohlad Family Will Remain Principal Owners of Twins, with New Limited Partners Coming Aboard

[Musk21]

Image courtesy of © Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

 

In a move sure to bring huge, largely negative reaction from Twins Territory, the Pohlad family will remain principal owners of the team, they announced via the team's official channels Wednesday morning. There will be new limited partners (presumably, sources of new capital who will receive equity in return for shares of the team, paying down the debt the family has attached to the club in recent years), but the Pohlads will remain in charge. 

This is an awkward and unsatisfying end to a nine-month process wherein the family announced an intention to sell the team, marketed it to multiple suitors, and eventually determined that they couldn't get the price they wanted. In the late winter, Midwestern-based billionaire Justin Ishbia seemed on the cusp of buying the team, but backed out to increase his stake in the Chicago White Sox instead. Since then, the Pohlads have balked at lower-valued offers and flirted with others, but rather than sell the franchise, they've now decided to allow minority partners to soak up some of the financial burden they faced while holding onto what is still a highly profitable company.

For Twins fans, the key questions will be who comprises the new partnership groups and how much their presence alters the maddening tendency toward payroll constriction the Pohlads have shown over the last two years. Many had hoped for a fresh start with a new billionaire (or billionaire family), but while there are major downsides that must be remembered and discussed, the Pohlads looked like one of the better ownership groups in the game just a few years ago. Their financial setbacks in other family businesses became a problem for the Twins, because they began focusing on the bottom line and lost sight of the ways in which a little more spending would have generated a lot more revenue.

If their new partners have enough money (and, in effect, if they help retire enough of the family's non-baseball debt by buying into the club) to loosen the purse strings again, the negative effects of the last two years of poor stewardship can be unwound fairly quickly. However, sticking around means that the Pohlads will have to find ways (beyond incrementally more spending) to repair their relationship with the fan base, after the team betrayed that fan base and broke whatever existing trust there was beginning in the fall of 2023. Whether Joe Pohlad (or anyone else in the family tree) is up for that difficult job is not at all clear.

The likelihood, therefore, is that there will be a new "face" of ownership brought into the picture, as part of this transaction. Joe Pohlad might remain the control person for the team, but some member of one of the new partnership groups might be moved out front to give the community a spokesperson from whom they might be more willing to hear a message of reconciliation and renewal. For now, this change in the direction of the would-be sale raises more questions than it answers, but within a few weeks, we're likely to find out much more.

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[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

This is not the best news...

[ChermesZ]

They have zero sense. They have lost this fan base.

 

now they’ll just take in revenue sharing money to offset their other business costs.

[Yoke]

Well ain’t that a kick in the nuts.

[Craig Arko]

Crap.

 

[Musk21]

I can't find the entire press release, but here are some excerpts from the statement and comments from Joe Pohlad:

"“Over the past several months, we explored a wide range of potential investment and ownership opportunities. Our focus throughout has been on what’s best for the long-term future of the Twins. We have been fully open to all possibilities, After a detailed and robust process, our family will remain the principal owner of the Minnesota Twins. To strengthen the club in a rapidly evolving sports landscape – one that demands strong partnerships, fresh ideas, and long-term vision – we are in the process of adding two significant limited partnership groups, each of whom will bring a wealth of experience and share our family values.”

“I don’t think we could have imagined a better outcome than where we landed,” Pohlad said. “We found two great partners and have already developed some pretty solid relationships with them. There is alignment on how we see the Twins moving forward, and also in our belief in the future of baseball in Minnesota. So I feel happy that this [sale process] has come to an end, and thrilled with the partners we have brought on.”

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

6 minutes ago, Musk21 said:

I can't find the entire press release, but here are some excerpts from the statement and comments from Joe Pohlad:

"“Over the past several months, we explored a wide range of potential investment and ownership opportunities. Our focus throughout has been on what’s best for the long-term future of the Twins. We have been fully open to all possibilities, After a detailed and robust process, our family will remain the principal owner of the Minnesota Twins. To strengthen the club in a rapidly evolving sports landscape – one that demands strong partnerships, fresh ideas, and long-term vision – we are in the process of adding two significant limited partnership groups, each of whom will bring a wealth of experience and share our family values.”

“I don’t think we could have imagined a better outcome than where we landed,” Pohlad said. “We found two great partners and have already developed some pretty solid relationships with them. There is alignment on how we see the Twins moving forward, and also in our belief in the future of baseball in Minnesota. So I feel happy that this [sale process] has come to an end, and thrilled with the partners we have brought on.”

No one believes you, Joe.

[spanman2]

Is it possible the offer(s) made were significantly less than 1.7 they wanted...another shake your head moment in being a Twins fan.  

[Rod Carews Birthday]

The best we can hope for now is that it is a situation similar to the Ishbia situation in Chicago that would facilitate a future sale at a future date by enabling an equity stake in the team to grow to controlling interest.  However, unlike Jerry Reinsdorf, the Pohlads aren't ancient and there are a lot more of them.  

[strumdatjag]

Someone had to be first to post it - Say it ain’t so, Joe. 

[NYCTK]

Pohlads just like every other wealthy family

1st Gen is hardworking but evil

2nd Gen is mediocre and arrogant

3rd Gen is entitled, incompetent, and lazy

 

[thelanges5]

Worst case scenario. What the actual ****

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/08/pohlad-family-no-longer-pursuing-sale-of-twins.html

[Ricky Vaughn]

Reality bites.

[Puckett34]

Guess my annual Minneapolis trip got a whole lot cheaper next month. Will not be setting foot in Target Field for awhile. Pohlads will get no more money from me.

I know its not a lot of money, but its the principle of the thing.

[karcherd]

The only way this will be a positive is if the Pohlads let the limited partners have true input into the running of the team similar to what ARod and Lore did with the Wolves.  They were responsible for bringing in Connelly.  

They can not run it back with Falvey in charge, so we will know fairly quickly in the offseason what influence the limited partners have.

[TouchEmAllGuy]

Worst case scenario

[Aggies7]

How to kill a franchise quickly 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Can't wait to see what the returns are for the impending Lopez and Ryan trades...

[jmlease1]

Just made it easy for me to not get tickets for next season.

[JD-TWINS]

16 minutes ago, Craig Arko said:

Crap.

 

I guess we all should be glad that their “focus throughout has been what’s best for the long-term future of the TWINS.” I feel better.

They slashed payroll 2 weeks ago - $$ spent in ‘23 were in the $154M range ………if they can get anywhere near that $$ spend total in ‘26, keeping Lopez, etc. …….. they can be a very competitive Team…….even $145M!

I doubt new investors/partners are oblivious to the probable fan reaction with this news and therefore, the need to build credibility quickly. Can’t just sell “youth” and need for fiscal responsibility to gain Season Ticket Holders…..new $$ partners have to have serious influence in the operation plans going forward!

[jmlease1]

18 minutes ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

No one believes you, Joe.

I believe this is the best outcome for Joe, who otherwise was never, ever going to be a significant player in any MLB franchise ever again.

This might (ugh) allow him to essentially stay as the principal decision-maker in ownership.

A horrific outcome, and massive kick in the nuts to Twins fans.

[Drew]

I've always been amongst the most forgiving Twins fans, the team was my first love and I had a hard time being critical of them even though they often deserved it. Long time season ticket holder (this season will be the first since 1986 where I didn't attend a game), I wear a Twins hat more often than I wear shoes, From 1987-1992 I would've traded my (very wonderful) dad for Kirby Puckett in a heartbeat. But when they sold after they finally won a playoff series it became so clear how dirty and cheap the Pohlad's truly have always been. The goal was never, and will never be, to win a World Series. It's to keep us chasing the least expensive carrot that they can find so that we think maybe next season is the season. 

I don't post often out here but I read quite a lot and I'll miss reading the thoughts of a good few of you.  The Pohlad's don't like us, don't like the Twins and don't like baseball. 

[jaimedude]

I feel for all fans that will continue to endure a roster this year that is void of talent at significant positions and isn't trying to develop players or win. It is like watching a pirate or Ghost ship sailing to impending doom. I mean they are not even playing the young and talented outside of Keaschall. Roster has a bunch of dudes that were not winning for AAA Saints even. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

Oh FFS. Money was only part of the Twins’ problems over the past three years. Gross mismanagement and utter, complete tone deafness was an even bigger problem.

Huzzah to tone deaf, bad businesspeople leading this franchise into its next (but really the same) era.

[jaimedude]

3 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

I believe this is the best outcome for Joe, who otherwise was never, ever going to be a significant player in any MLB franchise ever again.

This might (ugh) allow him to essentially stay as the principal decision-maker in ownership.

A horrific outcome, and massive kick in the nuts to Twins fans.

If Joe stays as principle as far as operations. I will not buy another ticket. Get him the hell away from the Twins. His big mouth blunder sunk momentum and attendance. Nothing but a Nepo baby and poor at branding. 

[Chris Hove]

20 minutes ago, spanman2 said:

Is it possible the offer(s) made were significantly less than 1.7 they wanted...another shake your head moment in being a Twins fan.  

Yes, and there were rumors that the Twins FO wasn't going to give the new owners full rights. Also, the new owners were on the hook for $425 million in debt. A lot of concerns for sure.

[TNtwins85]

14 minutes ago, karcherd said:

The only way this will be a positive is if the Pohlads let the limited partners have true input into the running of the team similar to what ARod and Lore did with the Wolves.  They were responsible for bringing in Connelly.  

They can not run it back with Falvey in charge, so we will know fairly quickly in the offseason what influence the limited partners have.

Falvey isn’t leaving. He’s not being fired. When he became president of the Twins and retained his PBO title he essentially married into the family. Without new owners he’s here to stay indefinitely.

[CCHOF5yearstoolate]

Money grubbing thieves from the very start, this family. Nothing ever changes. 

[tony&rodney]

The worst  news possible ... Pohlads, Falvey, Baldelli continue on. 

Why is this almost predictable. The team we watched last night may become the new normal.

[Chris Hove]

Not surprisingly, this greedy FO knew what they wanted this whole time and stood firm. Too bad they didn't stay firm at the trade deadline. This might start the process, marking the end of Twins baseball in Minnesota. I hope not, but this doesn't bode well for anyone but the Pohlads.