Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore focused on winning and innovation as they discussed their future plans as the co-owners of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“As a startup founder, it’s all about innovation,” Lore said. “It’s about being disruptive, not doing things the conventional way. You know, we’ve got a clean slate here to rethink how things are done, not just accept where they are.”
The two also unveiled a new ticketing platform on Friday called Jump, which allows fans to bid on tickets when fans with better seats leave games early.
Alex Rodriguez evoked former Yankees owner George Steinbrenner when he discussed his approach to ownership.
“He had his line that the only thing more important than winning is breathing,” said Rodriguez. “I’m kind of sick like that.”
There are discussions of a new arena for the team, as well as talks to repair the relationship between the franchise and Kevin Garnett.
With the group purchasing the Timberwolves for $1.5 billion, Rodriguez reiterated his commitment to the team despite rising prices on team valuations around the league. The Celtics received a $6.1 billion valuation, with the Lakers valued at $10 billion.
“If you know Marc and I, we just never give up and we come from the bottom,” Rodriguez said. “We fought hard for this, we did it the right way.”