Minnesota Twins owner hopes to regain fans' trust in new season
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Minnesota Twins owner Tom Pohlad has a big day ahead of him.
Friday is the home opener for the season, and Pohlad's first in the top job.
The Pohlads are a prominent Minneapolis-based family who manage a diverse portfolio of businesses, including being the longtime owners of the Twins.
Tom Pohlad took over in December 2025, four months after the Twins traded 11 players as the Pohlad family waffled over selling the team.
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Instead, the Pohlads sold a minority stake in the team to new investors.
MPR News host Clay Masters spoke with Tom Pohlad Friday morning.
Press play above to listen to their interview, or read a transcript below, edited for time and clarity.
What prompted the change from selling the team to selling a stake in the team?
Well, I think it was really, you know, little bit opportunistic in one sense. You know, as we went through the sale process, we found ourselves with partners or investors at that point that wanted us to continue to be in control of this organization, and they brought enough capital to the deal that allowed us to address the team's financial health, if you will, and take down some of the debt.
We found ourselves in kind of a win-win situation where we have the right partners and a great opportunity to address some unfinished business and turn this franchise around from a difficult couple of years.
What would you call the unfinished business?
We've had a difficult couple of years. The fan base has lost trust in this organization, and that's what we need to address, and we've got to win more baseball games, and that's the only thing that's going to help us reinvigorate this community behind Twins baseball.
Will payroll ever go back to what it was the last time you guys were in the playoffs?
I believe it will. I believe it will. Yes.
How do you make it so?
Well, I think it's about finding the right time and the right opportunities. You know, I've been in this role five months, and whether people want to accept it or not, the leadership change that happened in this organization, and the time in which it did, didn't give us many opportunities to materially change the makeup of this team, from when I started to what it is today.
And so I think going forward, what this fan base can count on is that whether we are underperforming or overperforming, there will be action taken going forward to whatever end is necessary to improve this team.
What constitutes a successful season for you?
Playing competitive baseball in September.
How do you make it so in your role?
You know, for all the flack that we took during the trade deadline, which was somewhat justified, what we did get in return was a ton of young talent that's going to be the foundation of this organization going forward. I think that's new.
Most importantly, Derek Shelton is new. We've got a new clubhouse leader with a new coaching staff that are going to bring a whole lot of energy to this team. And I think what you've seen the first six games is a different style of Twins baseball.
Why do you want to continue owning the Twins?
It's been a part of our family for 40 years. We've had good times. We've had bad times. We're in a difficult time right now, and I want to restore faith in this franchise, in this community, it's a responsibility that we, you know, we are a steward of this franchise.
Are the Twins in particular taking on a lot of debt? Is it combined with other family businesses?
There’s, you know, these conspiracy theories, if you will, out there that, the debt that's at the Twins as a result of things in other operating businesses within the family, which is absolutely crazy. I mean, the debt associated with the Twins is a function of us trying to put a competitive team on the field, however well or well not well we did execute that, and the fact that the revenues that we generate today don't support the expense load that we have.
As you're sitting here on home opener day, five months into this, what's going through your mind?
Oh, gosh, that's a big question. I'm living and dying on each game. I will tell you, I did not expect to be as invested as I feel day in and day out. I've watched every single pitch of every single game.
I can't believe we have 158 more games, or whatever it is, and I'm just really excited to be a part of this organization, be a part of the team, and I think we're going to outperform expectations this year.
