Member Update

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For the first time since March, the Minnesota Timberwolves were able to take the court together as part of their participation in the NBA’s In-Market Programs. A chance for each franchise that did not participate in the NBA’s season resumption to return to the court, each team engaged in voluntary group workouts at the team’s facilities while residing in a campus-like environment to ensure the highest level of safety.

For the Timberwolves, that meant residing at the Hotel Ivy in downtown Minneapolis for the duration of the In-Market Program.

Upon arrival at the hotel, on display outside the team’s entryway was the team’s logo, and in large font, one word: “US.”

Entering the premises, a framed and well-lit photo of every player on the Wolves’ roster lined the hotel walkway. On the floor of every elevator and on every keycard, a Timberwolves logo. Inside each hotel room, Timberwolves branded water bottles, gifted merchandise and Timberwolves-branded face coverings. Even outside the team’s meal room, a wall decal read “US” in bold letters, with the name of every Timberwolves season ticket member lining the wall’s remaining space.

“We really wanted to lock-in on that message – anything we talk about, any of the successes we strive for, it starts with us,” said President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas.

“For us to be the change we want to see in this team, in this world, in society: it starts with us, and that’s what it means and that’s what it stands for,” said Head Coach Ryan Saunders. “If you want to see change for the better, it starts with the individual, then the collective ‘us.’”

The message resonated with players and coaching staff alike, with each Timberwolves huddle ending with the group proudly shouting “US” in synchronization.

Behind the planning and execution of the astonishingly vast Wolves-centric bubble environment was Timberwolves Head Equipment Manager Peter Warden and the team’s Basketball Operations staff, who had just three weeks to put the 15-day In-Market Program together.

Balancing the quick turnaround with an attention to detail that showcased the organization’s family-first culture was a challenge, but one that Warden and team excelled in. In just a few weeks, the hotel transformed into a space complete with wide-ranging game rooms, meal rooms, suites, and meeting rooms.

“We knew it needed a personal touch so that staff and players were comfortable to be away from home for two-and-a-half weeks,” said Warden.

The “Us” mentality was on full display in the Bubble’s creation, with Warden commending a team-wide effort for the personalized feel to the premises.

“Starting off, you’ve got to acknowledge there was a lot of people involved to do everything in small detail – from our Creative team providing graphics to Rachel [Saunders], our Manager of Team Services, coming up with great ideas,” shared Warden.

Inside the Bubble, that careful thought was evident, with staff enjoying personalized snack packs, receiving framed photographs of family members, and taking part in an innovative yet intentional attention to safety.

Each morning, all residents within the In-Market Bubble were required to provide a saliva sample as part of the team’s COVID-19 testing. The test, known as SalivaDirect, is a cheaper and more efficient coronavirus test without the pains associated with expensive nasal and mouth swabs. Timberwolves Vice President of Basketball Performance and Technology Robby Sikka played an integral role in arranging a partnership between the NBA, the NBA Players Association, and Yale University, who developed the coronavirus test, to promote its widespread use, something that was done for the Timberwolves within the In-Market Program, and the NBA at-large.

Weeks of planning culminated in the 15-day Program ending on Tuesday, but not before the team chose to visit the George Floyd memorial in South Minneapolis. The somber moment of reflection was followed by an event at the Sanneh Foundation promoting voting registration in the Twin Cities.

Throughout their time in the Bubble, in addition to team cohesion on and off the court, the group focused on an array of social justice topics. From a conversation surrounding the Breonna Taylor verdict, to voting registration, and finally, a visit to the Floyd memorial: the Wolves are focused on being active citizens to bring positive change in their community.

“Coming out of the Bubble, expect a group that’s going to get better each day, on and off court,” said Coach Saunders. “We’re going to continue navigating through hard times, together, and grow together so that it leads to better times.”

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The Bubble Bursts: Recapping The Timberwolves In-Market Program From The Inside

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Minneapolis/St. Paul – The Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx announced joining Team Up for Change to use their platform to effect change in areas of social injustice, racial inequity and systemic racism. In the third year of Team Up for Change and the first year of involvement for the Timberwolves and Lynx, the Timberwolves partnered with the Sacramento Kings on a PSA urging unity and action in the wake of George Floyd’s murder at the hands of law enforcement. Team Up for Change was established in 2018 after the Kings and Milwaukee Bucks experienced racial inequities in their communities, including that of the tragic death of Stephon Clark, an unarmed black man, and the police brutality endured by Bucks guard Sterling Brown. 

“By partnering with the Kings and Bucks for Team Up for Change, we are committed to using our shared resources to inspire action. We will work together to promote inclusion and empower our communities to be a voice of meaningful change,” said Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx CEO Ethan Casson. 

In the upcoming months, the Timberwolves and Lynx will collaborate with the Kings and Bucks to plan and host the third Team Up for Change summit to address issues of social injustice with the goal of working toward more equitable communities.  

The Timberwolves and Lynx are committed to utilizing their platform to generate a movement of change and stand in solidarity with communities across the country. In the first of many steps toward inspiring action and effecting sustainable change, the Timberwolves and Lynx have established the following: 

The Timberwolves and Lynx will continue to uphold the promise to George Floyd, his family and our community to work tirelessly to use our voices to influence change, encourage healing and promote thoughtful action as we move forward together. The Timberwolves and Lynx will be announcing more initiatives soon that will include collaborations between players, coaches, city officials and the local authorities.

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Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Announce “Team Up for Change” Partnership

Minneapolis-St. Paul – Minnesota Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas today issued the following statement regarding the NBA’s decision to resume the 2019-20 NBA season with 22 teams playing in Orlando, Florida:

“While we are disappointed for our team and our fans that our season is coming to an end, we understand and accept the league’s plan to move forward with 22 teams. It is important that we be a good teammate not only to the NBA, but to the other 29 teams to support the efforts to complete this season and prepare for next season in a healthy and safe manner.

“Our offseason program will be intensive and thorough to make sure our players continue their development and are prepared for the start of the 2020-21 season. Our head coach Ryan Saunders, his assistants and our performance staff will be creative, aggressive and proactive to deal with a period of inactivity that we have not dealt with before. We built good momentum as a team following the trade deadline and our basketball staff will diligently continue to work through our team building processes, including the draft and free agency, as we continue to look for ways to improve our team during this pivotal offseason.

“We will also use this offseason to work tirelessly to help our community heal, to influence change and to promote thoughtful actions in response to recent events.”

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Gersson Rosas Statement On The NBA’s Announcement Regarding The 2019-20 Season

Minneapolis-St. Paul – The Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx announced the first of many steps the organization will take to fight racism and help unite its communities following the murder of George Floyd by law enforcement. The organization will enter a multi-year partnership with The Minneapolis Foundation to address systemic inequities and translate community anger into actions.  

The partnership will include civic leadership duties with Timberwolves Head Coach Ryan Saunders and Lynx Head Coach and General Manager Cheryl Reeve to serve as leaders on one of two advisory committees that will oversee the disbursement of the Fund for Safe Communities, a fund that will champion the prevention of further violence, address systemic inequities, reform the criminal justice system and heal communities affected by this tragedy. The second advisory committee will be compiled of diverse youth from Minneapolis. The two committees will work collectively to disburse funds from the Fund for Safe Communities as early as next week. 

“I am proud of the ways in which the Minnesota Lynx have used our voices to stand up for social justice. The senseless murder of George Floyd has strengthened our resolve to bring about change in the inequities that face our black and brown communities,” said Lynx Head Coach and General Manager Cheryl Reeve. “This alignment with The Minneapolis Foundation will allow us to directly impact these inequities as well as be active participants in the healing of our communities.”  

“Minneapolis is a special place,” said Timberwolves Head Coach Ryan Saunders. “I want all people of color to experience this amazing city without fear. We talk a lot about actions over words; we need to make meaningful change and that starts with partnering with The Minneapolis Foundation. As leaders on this Advisory Committee – we will work diligently with our youth counterparts to listen to what needs to change, raise awareness, and partner with informed leaders who can help bring meaningful impact to our cities.” 

“This is a moment where we all need to step into some bigger, bolder leadership,” said Chanda Smith Baker, Senior Vice President of Impact at The Minneapolis Foundation. “We need allies in this work and we are excited the Timberwolves and Lynx have decided to step into this partnership, dig deep into understanding the complexity of the inequities, and to help us drive toward solutions that ensure senseless tragedies rooted in racism never happen again.” 

The Timberwolves and Lynx organization will announce additional programming and initiatives pertaining to ending systemic racism and the need for community conversations. Its players, some of whom are the most visible young black men and women in America, will be part of these initiatives that will bring healing and change in Minneapolis. Donations can be made by texting SAFEMPLS to 243725.

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Timberwolves and Lynx Join Forces with The Minneapolis Foundation to Pursue Justice, Equity and Healing in the Aftermath of George Floyd’s Death

Minneapolis-St. Paul – The NBA 2K League announced the addition of a Minnesota Timberwolves affiliate team, which will compete beginning with the 2019 season. Minnesota joins the affiliates of the Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers in signing on for the league’s second season, bringing the total number of teams to 21.

“After watching the success of the NBA 2K League's inaugural season, we're excited to get on board and engage the avid esports audience in Minnesota and Timberwolves fans around the world," said Timberwolves &amp; Lynx CEO Ethan Casson. "We are always looking for ways to expand our organization's footprint, and the addition of an esports team to our Timberwolves, Lynx and Iowa Wolves family allows us this opportunity."

“Welcoming these four world-class organizations and their passionate fanbases to the NBA 2K League is an exciting moment not only for the league, but for the entire 2K community,” said NBA 2K League Managing Director Brendan Donohue.  “From their innovative spirit to their global reach, we know each of these teams will be a tremendous addition, and we are thrilled that this growth offers the opportunity for new players, coaches and support staff to join the league.”

The team’s name and logo will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

About the NBA 2K League The NBA 2K League, a professional esports league co-founded by the NBA and Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO), launched in 2018 and features the best 102 NBA 2K players in the world.  Each of the league’s 17 teams drafted six players to compete as unique characters in 5-on-5 play against the other teams in a mix of regular-season games, in-season tournaments and playoffs.  The league hosted tryouts in early 2018 before the draft in April and the season tip-off in May.  For more information about the NBA 2K League, visit NBA2KLeague.com.

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Minnesota Timberwolves Affiliate Team to Join NBA 2K League Beginning with the 2019 Season

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On Monday, it was announced that Target Center is a nominee for the Sports Business Journal’s Sports Facility of the Year Award.

For those who have been to Target Center recently, this comes as no surprise. But what a journey it’s been.

Target Center reopened on Oct. 12 after an 18-month, $145 million renovation.

The project included all new premium spaces in the Chairman’s Club, Lexus Courtside Club, TCL Theater Boxes and Club T.I. In addition, the entire premium level has been rebranded as the Treasure Island Resort & Casino Premium Level. The concourse and bowl renovations included a new state-of-the-art scoreboard, refreshed restrooms, new seats, upgraded sound system and digital signage. 

The exterior also undertook a transformation, with new paneling added around the entire arena and the addition of a three-story glass atrium and new Life Time Lobby anchoring the building on the corner of 6th Street and 1st Avenue. An additional skyway entrance was also added to the backside of the building that is open only on game-nights to benefit ingress and egress from the nearby parking ramps. 

For renovated arenas, the goal is for the building to feel new after. That’s not always the case, but the Target Center renovation met and exceeded expectations. The Target Center was originally built in 1990 and for it to be nominated for this award 28 years later speaks to the hard work and dedication that went into it.

Other nominees included: Little Caesars Arena, Notre Dame Stadium, SunTrust Park/The Battery Atlanta, T-Mobile Arena and U.S. Bank Stadium.

The winner will be announced in New York on May 23.

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Target Center Nominated As Sports Facility Of The Year

Minneapolis-St. Paul – The Minnesota Timberwolves have announced additional details surrounding “Flip Saunders Night” on Thursday, February 15 as the Wolves play host to the Los Angeles Lakers at Target Center.     The pregame ceremony and the unveiling of a permanent banner to honor the memory of Flip will take place at approximately 7:15 pm. Doors will open at 6:00 pm to accommodate the early crowd arrival for the ceremony.     The team has worked with the Saunders family to make the evening about raising awareness and funds for the “Flip Saunders Legacy Fund.” The fund was established to aid and support deserving individuals and groups to continue to portray the positive impact of the life of Flip Saunders.     Renowned custom sneaker shop Kickstradomis will be creating a different pair of custom sneakers for each Timberwolves player, with each pair inspired by Flip. The shoes will be auctioned off at the game outside of section 118, with bids being accepted through the end of halftime. During halftime, the Wolves have commissioned speed painter David Garibaldi to create a piece of art live honoring Flip’s memory. The painting and the team’s game-worn jerseys from that evening’s contest will both be part of a postgame auction. All proceeds from the auctions will benefit the Flip Saunders Legacy Fund. The Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation will also make a $5,000 donation in-game to the fund.     Additionally, all fans in attendance will receive a Flip Saunders commemorative coin. One of Flip’s trademarks during his tenure with the Wolves was to create a new team coin each season for players and front office staff, then randomly give them to people he would encounter as a way to include fans on that season’s journey.     “Minnesota has always been our family’s home,” said Debbie Saunders, widow of Flip Saunders. “Flip not only had a passion for the Timberwolves but for basketball in the State of Minnesota. We are incredibly grateful to the Timberwolves for memorializing Flip in such a moving way and having his memory live on inside Target Center forever.”     “Flip meant so much to our organization as a coach, but he meant so much more to all of us as a friend,” said Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor. “His impact on our organization and what he meant to the Minnesota basketball community is something that will always be with us. It is appropriate that we honor the man who meant so much to us with of a banner in our home arena that will forever fortify his memory.”     Saunders compiled an overall record of 427-392 (.521) in 12 seasons covering two different stints with the organization. From 1995-2005, he guided the Timberwolves to eight consecutive playoff appearances, highlighted by an appearance in the 2004 NBA Western Conference Finals. Upon his return in 2013, Saunders assumed the role of President of Basketball Operations. Prior to the 2014-15 season, Saunders added the duties of head coach to his responsibilities. In addition to the Timberwolves, Saunders was head coach of the Detroit Pistons (2005-2008), guiding them to three straight appearances in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Saunders also was the head coach of the Washington Wizards (2009-2011) prior to his return to Minnesota.     For tickets to the Thursday, February 15 game and all other Timberwolves home games at Target Center, visit www.timberwolves.com . The Timberwolves have won 12 consecutive games at home, the longest current home winning streak in the NBA and two short of the franchise record of 14 consecutive home wins during the 2003-04 regular season. The game against the Lakers serves as the final game in an upcoming three-game homestand which begins Sunday, February 11 against the Sacramento Kings.

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Timberwolves Announce Additional Plans For Thursday, February 15 ‘Flip Saunders Night’

Minneapolis-St. Paul – Inspired by the theme of the “Bold North,” the Minnesota Timberwolves unveiled their fourth and final uniform edition. The new uniform will debut on Thursday, February 1 when the Wolves face the Milwaukee Bucks at Target Center.

The Timberwolves City Edition uniform follows the theme of “Bold North” which celebrates the area hosting Super Bowl LII on February 4, 2018. The strength and civic pride of this region will be on full display over the next few months, which has been an inspiration for the design of the team’s City Edition uniforms. The primary color celebrates the tonal gray winter coat of the wolf, while the white mimics the snow-covered land that is the North. The color allows the Wolf to reflect its surroundings and be an apex predator while camouflaging and protecting the wolf, which is reflective of the “New Era” of Timberwolves basketball – hungry and determined to break through and establish a winning culture. The pattern of the jersey is representative of the wolf’s guard hair during the winter months, which represents our fans willingness to defend our team and home court.

The City Edition is the fourth and final uniform design, joining the white Association Edition and navy Icon Edition that were unveiled in August and the green Statement Edition that debuted earlier this month. As previously announced, home teams will pick which uniform they will wear and visiting teams will choose a contrasting uniform within their own assortment.

The team is scheduled to wear the City Edition uniforms four times during the regular season. In addition to February 1, the Wolves will sport the uniforms for road games at Denver on April 5 and the Los Angeles Lakers on April 6 as well as the regular-season home finale on April 11 against Denver.

Photos of the new Timberwolves uniforms can be download here.

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Timberwolves Unveil Final Uniform Edition

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