Pohlad Family Keeps Twins After Fire Sale: Ownership Reversal Shocks Fans
MINNEAPOLIS — In a stunning reversal that has left Minnesota Twins fans reeling, the Pohlad family announced Wednesday they will no longer sell the franchise, instead choosing to retain ownership while bringing in two limited partnership groups. The decision comes just weeks after a controversial July fire sale that saw the organization trade away 11 players in a short span.
A Quick Twins Timeline
October 2024: The Sale Announcement
The Pohlad family first announced their intention to explore selling the Minnesota Twins, with the franchise valued between $1.5-2 billion. The family retained Allen & Company as their investment bank to facilitate potential buyers, signaling what appeared to be the end of their 41-year ownership tenure.
July 2025: The Historic Fire Sale
Just before the trade deadline, the Twins executed what many are calling the most devastating fire sale in franchise history. In a brutal trade deadline, the organization traded away 11 players, dismantling a underperforming roster and leaving fans questioning the team's commitment to winning.
The trades included key contributors and fan favorites, with many interpreting the moves as preparation for new ownership. Reddit users on r/minnesotatwins called it "the worst day in Twins history," while social media erupted with fan frustration and speculation about the impending sale.
August 13, 2025: The Shocking Reversal
Executive Chair Joe Pohlad released a letter on behalf of the family, announcing they had decided to remain the principal owners after "a detailed and robust process" of exploring ownership opportunities.
The Letter That Changed Everything
The Pohlad family's official statement, released via social media, emphasized their emotional connection to the franchise:
"For more than four decades, our family has had the privilege of owning the Minnesota Twins. This franchise has become part of our family story, as it has for our employees, our players, this community, and Twins fans everywhere."
The letter revealed that after months of exploring "a wide range of potential investment and ownership opportunities," the family concluded they would strengthen the club by adding two significant limited partnership groups rather than selling outright.
Fan Reaction: Betrayal and Outrage
The announcement has triggered an unprecedented wave of fan anger across social media platforms. On Reddit, the top comment with over 346 votes simply stated: "Nepo baby Owner said he'd sell the team. He traded everyone a week ago. Decided today he's keeping it."
Twins Daily forum discussions describe the decision as "awkward and unsatisfying," while many fans feel betrayed by the sequence of events. The timing has particularly frustrated supporters who watched their favorite players get traded away under the assumption new ownership was imminent.
FOX 9 Minneapolis reported that "many close to the Twins thought an ownership transition might be in the works" following the extensive player trades, making Wednesday's announcement even more jarring for the fanbase.
The Fire Sale Context
The July trades now take on a different meaning in light of the ownership decision. Players and prospects were moved not to prepare for new ownership, but as part of what the family now frames as a strategic rebuild under continued Pohlad control.
The timing has raised questions about transparency and communication with fans, who endured watching their team dismantled while believing it was part of a transition process that ultimately never materialized.
What's Next: Limited Partners and Future Direction
The Pohlad family indicated they are "in the process of adding two significant limited partnership groups, each of whom will bring a wealth of experience and share our family values." However, no details about these partners or their level of investment have been revealed.
The family emphasized their commitment to "building a winning team and culture for this region, one that Twins fans are proud to cheer for," though fans remain skeptical given the recent fire sale and team salary spending habits over the last 41 years.
41 Years of Pohlad Ownership
The Pohlad family has owned the Twins since 1984, when patriarch Carl Pohlad purchased the franchise for $44 million from Calvin Griffith. Carl Pohlad, who passed away in 2009 with an estimated net worth of $3.6 billion, built a business empire that made the family one of Minnesota's wealthiest.
Current leadership includes Jim Pohlad as Executive Chair and Joe Pohlad handling day-to-day operations since 2022. The family's decision to retain control extends their tenure as one of MLB's longest-tenured ownership groups.
The Broader Impact
This reversal has implications beyond just disappointed fans. The uncertainty around ownership has coincided with the team's struggles on the field and in attendance. The fire sale, now viewed through the lens of continued Pohlad ownership, raises questions about the franchise's competitive direction and financial commitment to winning.
Industry observers note that the decision to bring in limited partners rather than sell completely could provide additional capital while maintaining family control—a structure increasingly common in professional sports.
Looking Ahead
As the Twins continue their 2025 season with a depleted roster, the focus shifts to how the organization will rebuild trust with fans while implementing their stated commitment to winning. The addition of limited partners may provide resources, but the emotional damage from the fire sale-to-ownership reversal may take many years to repair.
For a fanbase that has endured decades of playoff disappointments and now this ownership uncertainty, the Pohlad family's decision represents another chapter in what many view as a frustrating ownership tenure marked by unfulfilled promises and questionable timing.
The letter concluded with a pledge that "this ownership group is committed to building a winning team and culture," but after the events of the past year, Twins fans are demanding actions, not words.
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