A deal "tying together" the Twins, Wild and T'Wolves
"may be nearing completion," as the "campaign to build" a
Twins ballpark in St. Paul "races toward a Friday deadline,"
according to Kahn & Walters of the ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS,
who report that the Twins "would be purchased and
controlled" by the Wild and T'Wolves. Any deal "would be
contingent" on St. Paul and the state of MN "agreeing to
build" a new ballpark for the Twins. Kahn & Walters cite
"informed" sources as saying that the "principal
participants" in the talks are T'Wolves Owner Glen Taylor,
Wild lead Owner Robert Naegele Jr. and Twins Owner Carl
Pohlad, with other investors also "involved" in the reported
$120M deal. Kahn & Walters write that Taylor's "entrance
should not be surprising because he is one of Minnesota's
wealthiest individuals" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 9/30).
Walters also reports that if the sale is "done," Taylor
would be the "controlling partner" (PIONEER PRESS, 9/30).
In Minneapolis, Sid Hartman cites two sources as saying that
the Wild group, "headed" by President Jac Sperling and
Naegele, "submitted a letter of intent early this week" to
buy the Twins for $100M. Pohlad's "asking price" has been
$120M, but he would remain with the team as a minority
partner under the offer (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 9/30).