NBA Commissioner David Stern yesterday said that he will meet with Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak today to "get an update on stalled renovation plans for Target Center," according to Ray Richardson of the ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS. Stern "expressed hope that renovation plans 'come to a final form in the next few weeks.'" He said, "We want to maintain the building so it doesn't fall behind. It's pretty important to make capital improvement on an ongoing basis. The fans deserve it. I get very excited about the impact that a fresh, continually busy building can have on a vital downtown." The T'Wolves and the city "introduced plans more than a year ago to renovate Target Center." The renovation, initially scheduled to begin in May, has been "delayed because of disagreements over cost responsibilities" between the T'Wolves, the city of Minneapolis and venue operator AEG. Stern said that when the renovation is completed, he will recommend Target Center as a "future host for NBA All-Star Weekend" to NBA Deputy Commissioner & COO Adam Silver, who will succeed Stern. The facility previously hosted the ASG in '94 (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 2/7). Stern said he is meeting with Rybak “just to go over where we are” at refurbishing the arena ("The Chad Hartman Show," WCCO-AM, 2/6).
TAYLOR'S SUCCESSOR: Stern said that he "initially approached" T'Wolves Owner Glen Taylor about "developing a succession plan." Taylor has been "entertaining offers while making it clear that he wants to stay on as owner for the near future." Stern said, "I think Glen is not what you would call an anxious seller. Sometimes I think he might have seller's remorse even though he hasn't sold it because he loves the team and he loves what it does for the community. I do believe he is in the midst of at least a thought process that is going to find him at some point in the future, not immediately" (AP, 2/6). Stern said he met with Taylor "to find out where" the team is on venue renovations, after already having had "some conversations with AEG." Stern: "I think we’re very much within striking range of a deal that will bring the Target Center into the 21st century and make it an 'it' place." Stern told Taylor he “should look for some transitional plan where you can lighten up and then ultimately move on in some period that lets you just be owner, then a part-owner, then a superfan." Stern: "But he’s very committed to the franchise and he’s very committed to this project and he’s also committed to finding somebody who he’s comfortable will enhance these things” ("The Chad Hartman Show," WCCO-AM, 2/6).
LET BYGONES BE BYGONES: In Minneapolis, Sid Hartman writes, "One thing that amazed me about Stern is his great relationship with Taylor despite the fact that on Oct. 27, 2000, Stern stripped the team of three first-round draft choices, levied a $3.5 million fine, suspended Taylor and executive Kevin McHale and sent Joe Smith, who was a part of a serious salary-cap violation, into free agency." Still, they were "able to become close friends, with Taylor recently completing his second term" as chair of the NBA BOG. Stern said, "That didn't stop me from respecting Glen as a businessman and as a person, and I would say that we have become very good friends and we work closely together, with him as chairman." Stern regarding Taylor's potential sale of the team said, "He wants it to stay here and all discussions about [a] sale revolve around finding a person, or persons, who will commit to keeping this franchise in the Twin Cities" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 2/7).
