​Just over a week after Mark Walter sold the Los Angeles Lakers at a record-setting $12.5 billion valuation less than two years after buying the storied franchise, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been sold in the latest example of NBA teams being flipped for profit.As first reported by ESPN‘s Shams Charania, businessman Marc Stad has completed a deal to acquire the controlling ownership stake in both the Timberwolves and the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, acquiring the largest shareholder percentage in each franchise from co-owner Marc Lore at a $4.5 billion valuation.The deal, as with the Lakers’ sale, is still pending approval from the NBA Board of Governors, with the next meeting scheduled for Sept. 15-16. At a $4.5 billion valuation, the Timberwolves now have sold for the fourth-highest price in NBA history, with the sale of the Lakers ($10 billion and $12.5 billion) and Boston Celtics ($6.1 billion) the only ones ahead of it.Background on Minnesota Timberwolves’ Franchise FlippingMandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectOn June 24, 2025, the NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale for the controlling interest in the Timberwolves and Lynx to Lore and Alex Rodriguez. Lore served as the team’s Governor, with Rodriguez being made the Alternate Governor.Lore and Rodriguez first purchased minority stakes in the team in 2021. The duo eventually bought a majority stake in the franchise, completed in 2025, at a $1.5 billion valuation. Just over a year later, pending approval, Lore will have flipped his share for more than double his original investment based on the $4.5 billion valuation.Lore will maintain a minority stake in the ownership group and step away from his role in the organization. As for Rodriguez, he will keep his investment in the team and now serve as the more public face of the ownership group for the Timberwolves and Lynx. Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic reported that Rodriguez is also expected to “spend more time on the ground in Minnesota” moving forward.The Athletic classified this as a “reorganization” for Minnesota’s WNBA and NBA franchises, allowing Lore to take on a lesser role while making a profit on his original investment, whereas Stad takes on a majority stake in the two clubs, with Rodriguez serving as the face of the ownership group.Stad’s wife, Elisa, is set to serve as the designated Governor for the Timberwolves, while Rodriguez maintains his role as the Alternate Governor for Minnesota’s NBA team and serves as the designated Governor for the Lynx.Developing Trend for NBA Franchise Ownership Amid Rising Expansion FeeMandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectIt is worth noting that Stad’s investment comes at a time when reports have indicated that the cost to buy an expansion NBA franchise for Las Vegas could reach $10-plus billion, while an expansion team in Seattle could wind up approaching $9 billion. Th