Posted March 14, 2011    

•Glen Taylor

•Cam Newton

•Zygi Wilf

•Dean Blais

•Tom Lehman

Taylor: Wolves to Lose Over $10 Million Again 

Timberwolves’ owner Glen Taylor expects to lose $10 million to $15 million this season, another year of large losses for his NBA club. 

Taylor told Sports Headliners the franchise has been losing that kind of money for the “last four years.”  He also said “probably 24 to 25” of the league’s 30 teams will have deficits operating this season.  “We fall into the middle, with 12 losing more and 12 losing less,” he said. 

The Wolves haven’t played winning basketball in recent seasons including 15-67 last year and 17-51 so far in 2010-11.  Taylor knows that a winning team will boost ticket sales and other revenues, but there’s more involved as he looks to the future and his continuing commitment as the club’s majority owner.  

The NBA and the players must make a new collective bargaining agreement after this season.  Taylor pointed out that many league teams are losing money and there’s a need to look at expenses including player salaries. 

Taylor also talked about revenue sharing among league teams.  The NBA has limited revenue sharing and he recalled that the largest of monies ever divided was about $60 million.  That was split among 15 teams because in the league’s revenue setup not all teams qualify.  A larger future pot shared among more teams will presumably ease the finances of many franchises. 

Closer to home Taylor has been talking with city officials about a major renovation of Target Center.  The building opened in 1990 and is already among the oldest in the NBA.  Locally the facility suffers in comparison to the Xcel Energy Center.   

While it’s been suggested that the Wolves might move to St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center, Taylor said no.  “I have a contract to play at the Target Center and plan to fulfill my contract obligation,” he said. 

Taylor hopes Target Center renovations can be completed by the city-owned arena within the next several years.  The building hosts concerts, family attractions and other events.  “It won’t be fixed up (just) for Glen,” he said. 

In the meantime, the Timberwolves do control the naming rights process for the arena and their deal with Target Corporation ends this year.  Taylor said Target, Sanford Health and other companies are interested in buying the future naming rights.

 

Glen Taylor

Vikings’ Webb Similar to Cam Newton 

The Vikings would seem unlikely to gamble on drafting Heisman Trophy winner and controversial quarterback Cam Newton with the No. 12 pick in the first round of next month’s NFL draft.   

Newton is a man-child physically (about 6-6, 250) but only played one year of major college football.  The 21-year-old was sensational running and passing for Auburn, leading the Tigers to the national championship.  His career has also been characterized by controversy off the field. 

While the Vikings need a quarterback, they already have a similarly gifted project in Joe Webb who was a rookie last year after being drafted on the sixth round.  Webb played enough late last season to tease coaches with his potential.  He played in five games and started two, throwing for 477 yards and no touchdowns with a passer rating of 60.9.  

Webb is about 6-4, 220 pounds.  With a strong wind behind him, he could probably toss a football 100 yards.  He can run past tacklers or bowl them over.  He averaged 6.2 yards per carry last season and scored two touchdowns.  Sound like Newton?   

Webb, 24, was not a full-time quarterback during his college career at Alabama-Birmingham, also playing wide receiver as a sophomore.  It was his potential at both positions that initially intrigued the Vikings. 

The Vikings reportedly plan to work Newton out privately prior to the draft.  He could definitely be available when the Vikings pick at No. 12, although some of his boosters see him being among the first 10 draft choices.  The Vikings have needs at multiple positions and will have many choices drafting early in the first round.   

This is not considered an extraordinary draft for quarterbacks.  Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert could be the first quarterback chosen and Newton second, but defensive linemen are expected to dominate among the first 20 players taken.   

Because of Webb and other needs, it might not be difficult for Vikings personnel executive Rick Spielman and his assistants to pass on Newton and choose a defensive lineman, offensive tackle or even wide receiver.

 

Worth Noting 

The March 14 issue of Sports Illustrated lists Vikings owner Zygi Wilf among the “poorest” owners in the NFL.  Based on information from Wealth-X, the magazine reported that both Wilf and Oakland owner Al Davis have net worths of $310 million and only five other league owners are worth less money.  Seattle owner Paul Allen is the wealthiest owner at $12.9 billion.  

Georgia Tech fired basketball coach Paul Hewitt on Saturday.  There was speculation earlier this winter that Hewitt would be fired and Gophers coach Tubby Smith might be a candidate for the job.  Smith was head coach at the University of Georgia from 1995-1997. 

The Twins announced this morning they have sent star pitching prospect Kyle Gibson to their minor league camp.

The son of former Twin Steve Lombardozzi, Steve Jr., is trying to win a spot on the Washington roster as a second baseman but is hitless in five games and two at bats.  

MIAC baseball teams had more than 80 games scheduled during February and March at the Metrodome.  The collapse of the dome’s roof has meant upheaval for conference teams who have had to change budgets and schedules adding outdoor games in warmer places outside of Minnesota.  

The Minnesota Minute Men announced that forward Kyle Rau from Eden Prairie High School is the 27^th annual Mr. Hockey Award winner, an honor given to the outstanding senior prep in Minnesota.  Alex Lyon from Lake of the Woods High School received The Frank Brimsek Award in recognition of Minnesota’s top senior goaltender.  Mark DeCenzo (Hibbing High School), Bruce Plante (Hermantown High School) and Tim Sager (White Bear Lake High School) received The John Mariucci Award as high school Coaches of the Year.  Jeff Whisler (Hill-Murray/Mahtomedi) received The Cliff Thompson Award, presented to the “Old Timer Coach” of the year.

The Gophers hockey team had only one player named All-WCHA by the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, goalie Kent Patterson who was on the second team.  Nebraska Omaha had none but Dean Blais was selected Coach of the Year.  Blais is a name-game favorite when fans speculate about the next Gophers coach.  

The most exciting news from Target Center in April figures to come not from the Timberwolves, but the Lynx who have the No. 1 pick in this year’s WNBA Draft.  It’s assumed that on April 11 the Lynx will draft two-time Wade Trophy winner Maya Moore, who has been called the “LeBron James of women’s basketball.”  The Lynx also hold the No. 4 pick in the draft's first round.  

The United States Tennis Association and others continue to aggressively market tennis, and total participation numbers in recent years are similar to those during the boom times of the 1970s.  Innovations include tennis courts marked with lines to make the playing surface smaller to accommodate players ages 10 and younger.  Such courts are already being used and will become commonplace. 

Canterbury Park's live racing starts on Friday, May 20.  The Shakopee race track will be busy on Saturday, May 7 for the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs. 

The annual Tapemark Charity Pro-Am Golf tournament celebrates its 40^th anniversary June 10-12 at Southview Country Club.  Among past tournament winners is Tom Lehman.

 

    Zygi Wilf

 Maya Moore