Pohlads Not Selling Minnesota Twins as Financial Hurdles Persist

The Minnesota Twins just took a pretty bold financial step to steady their footing in Major League Baseball (MLB). With a jaw-dropping $400 million debt staring them down, the franchise sold off minority stakes but made sure the Pohlad family still holds the reins.

This move helps ease some of the immediate pressure. The losses go back to the COVID-19 pandemic, big spending on Target Field, and the usual roster bills.

But honestly, it shines a light on deeper issues with MLB’s economics, the revenue gap, and those looming labor fights that could really shake up the sport.

Twins’ Debt Crisis and Financial Restructuring

Executive chair Joe Pohlad said they had to make a partial sale to tackle years of growing debt. The pandemic hammered revenue for everyone in baseball, and the Twins felt it just like the rest.

Even before COVID-19, they spent heavily on stadium upgrades and building out the roster, which squeezed their finances even more.

The Impact of COVID-19 and Stadium Investments

When baseball shut down in 2020, ticket sales, sponsorships, and game-day income vanished. Sure, things got a little better in the seasons after, but keeping Target Field modern and welcoming isn’t cheap.

All these costs piled up, making it harder for the team to keep up without shaking up the ownership structure.

Economic Disparity in MLB

The Twins’ money problems aren’t unique—they’re part of a bigger MLB issue with competitive balance. Looking ahead to 2025, Minnesota’s payroll will be about $128 million. That’s dwarfed by the biggest spenders:

• New York Yankees – $297 million
• Los Angeles Dodgers – $338 million
• New York Mets – $336 million

Revenue sharing was supposed to help, but it hasn’t made a real dent. Big-market teams keep landing better media deals and spend way more, leaving smaller-market clubs like the Twins scrambling to keep up.

Fan Confidence and Attendance Woes

Commissioner Rob Manfred admits fans in smaller markets are losing confidence. In Minnesota, they’re expecting just 1.8 million fans this year—lowest non-pandemic turnout since 2002.

The recent shakeup in TV rights deals hasn’t helped steady things, either.

Looming Labor Battles

On top of the money gap, there’s a tense labor negotiation creeping closer. The current collective bargaining agreement ends after 2026, and small-market owners want a salary cap.

Supporters say a cap would even things out, but players have always pushed back.

The Salary Cap Flashpoint

Players’ union boss Tony Clark calls any cap plan “institutionalized collusion.” Back in 1994, owners tried to force a cap and the players went on strike, canceling that year’s World Series.

If talks blow up again, MLB might see a lockout in December 2026, putting the entire 2027 season at risk.

What This Means for the Twins’ Future

For Minnesota, all this financial and labor drama is a risky mix. Even with new investors bringing in cash, the payroll and revenue gap isn’t going away.

If MLB doesn’t make bigger changes, the Twins could have a tough time chasing free agents and hanging onto their best young talent.

The Path Forward

MLB has to face its revenue disparity problem if it wants to keep the league fair. Smaller markets need more than just hope—they need trust and a real shot at competing.

Maybe that means smarter revenue sharing. Maybe it’s time for bolder local marketing or finally jumping into new ways to broadcast games.

The Twins have bought themselves some time. It’s not a full fix, but at least they’re not standing still.

Fans in Minnesota are crossing their fingers that these moves keep the team in the playoff hunt. Nobody wants to relive the mess of old labor fights.

Honestly, the next few years might decide if small-market baseball can hang on, or if the big-money teams just keep pulling away.

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Here is the source article for this story: The Pohlads aren’t selling the Twins, but financial hurdles aren’t going away