As the Minnesota Twins navigate the 2025 season, the potential sale of the franchise by the Pohlad family has become a focal point of discussion. The Pohlads, who have owned the team since 1984, are reportedly seeking a sale price of $1.7 billion. That’s the same price the Baltimore Orioles sold for last year. However, this valuation, coupled with the team’s financial challenges, has made the sale process complex and uncertain.
One significant hurdle in the sale is the Twins’ reported $425 million in debt, one of the highest totals in MLB, which has raised concerns among potential buyers. This financial burden, along with the high asking price, led some local investors to view the prospects of a sale as “dismal” after getting access to the Twins’ financial reports. The Pioneer Press reported that multiple interested parties have pulled out of the running because of cashflow concerns.
Besides the team’s debt, other concerns include the potential for an MLB lockout after the 2026 season. A new owner will want to draw immediate revenue from their investment in the Twins, and a work stoppage could impact all 30 franchises for multiple seasons. Another concern is the team’s loss of revenue from the television contract. For clubs like the Twins, regional sports network contracts are a large part of their revenue—and now, the team is getting significantly less with Twins TV.
Despite these challenges, the sale process has not come to a halt. The Star-Tribune reported that several potential buyers have visited Target Field over the last 2-3 weeks and met with the Pohlads and team executives, indicating ongoing interest in the franchise. Phil Miller reported that the sale was “closer to the end than to the beginning,” a positive sign for Twins fans. While no formal offers have been made public, these developments suggest that discussions are progressing, albeit slowly.
Initially, there was hope the Twins’ sale would be completed by Opening Day. However, the situation was further complicated when billionaire Justin Ishbia, initially a leading candidate to purchase the team, shifted his focus to increasing his stake in the Chicago White Sox. The Twins were forced to reset their sales conversations, and that slowed down the process significantly in recent months.
The Athletic reported that multiple interested parties have joined the potential buyer pool since Ishbia dropped out of the running.
“We sort of rebooted the process and a number of people came in that were sitting on the sidelines,” The Athletic’s source said. “We’re making good progress with multiple interested parties. Everyone we’re talking with now has the capability of transacting without finding a money source.”
The Athletic also made it clear that there is no specific deadline being put in place by the Pohlads. They clearly want to get the best price for their most valuable asset, and sometimes it takes time for all the pieces to be put in place. From a business perspective, it makes sense to pit these potential ownership groups against one another to get the best price. Big-league teams are in limited supply and there have been few sales of clubs over the last few decades. For many ownership groups, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
As the Twins continue their season, the outcome of the sale remains uncertain. The Pohlads’ commitment to their asking price, combined with the team’s financial obligations, presents significant obstacles to a swift transaction. However, the ongoing interest from potential buyers suggests that a resolution (while not imminent) is still possible. For fans and stakeholders, the hope is that any future ownership will bring renewed investment and stability to the franchise.
What’s your prediction for when the Twins will be sold? How much will the Pohlads be able to get for the team? Leave a comment and start the discussion.