Forbes ranks the Wolves at #27 in its NBA Team Valuations.
The Timberwolves are hurting. The team won only 24 games last season and missed the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season. The Target Center (run by the Timberwolves) gets a $1.9 million operating subsidy from the city (which owns the building and covers the vast majority of its debt service). The Target Center loses a lot of business to the new Xcel Energy Center. Team owner Glen Taylor gave away more than 5,000 tickets per game last season to try and fill the arena. He cut ticket prices for 95% of the seats for the current season and is believed to be looking to unload the franchise. Taylor’s net worth has dropped from an estimated $3.8 billion to $2.2 billion during the past year and it is uncertain how long he wants to invest in the money-losing franchise. To compete with the Xcel Energy Center, the Target Center would need a costly upgrade that the state and city can not afford, especially after taxpayers subsidized the new stadium for the Twins.
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On the short list of positives from the Timberwolves’ 97-96 loss to New Orleans on Wednesday night at Target Center, forward Ryan Gomes is emerging as the Wolves’ most consistent offensive player.
The time might be approaching where a play will be drawn up for Gomes to take a decisive shot at the buzzer. On the Wolves’ final play Wednesday night, Gomes passed the ball back to rookie guard Wayne Ellington, who missed a desperation three-point attempt with 1.4 seconds remaining.
The time might be approaching where a play will be drawn up for Gomes to take a decisive shot at the buzzer. On the Wolves’ final play Wednesday night, Gomes passed the ball back to rookie guard Wayne Ellington, who missed a desperation three-point attempt with 1.4 seconds remaining.
In the past six games, Gomes is shooting 59.3 percent and averaging 20.3 points in a new offense under first-year coach Kurt Rambis.
• Nathan Jawai was inactive again Wednesday as he recovers from food poisoning.
• The Wolves left after the game for Los Angeles, where they open a three-game road trip Friday against the Lakers.
• Twin Cities roads were so treacherous when the Wolves arrived home from Toronto early Wednesday, Rambis had each of his players check in with the team once they arrived home safely.
The Timberwolves, longing to put bodies in the seats at Target Center, for Wednesday night’s game against New Orleans were offering $25 tickets for $20 and an autographed souvenir team item as well as in-game stats delivered to seats. Another promotion Wednesday night, “Guys Night Out,” included a $35 ticket for $20 plus a halftime meet and greet with the Wolves dancers, and a beer or soda and a hot dog.
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