QUICK OPENER: — I’m gonna get out of the way here and let the stories and thoughts flow. There are a lot of both to be shared. But I want to let you know that Sports Take will be on Holiday Break for the next two weeks, with a January return that will catch us up and go full speed ahead. Celebrate well, my friends! — Howard Sinker
REVOLT AT TARGET FIELD: Blood from family battles was spilled at Target Field when, in addition to the much anticipated and delayed reveal of the Twins’ new minority owners, it was announced that Joe Pohlad would be replaced by his older brother Tom as the team’s executive chairman. He will also take over from his uncle, Jim Pohlad, as the team’s “controlling owner” — making him the primary contact between the Twins and Major league Baseball.
FAMILY STRIFE: Via Bobby Nightengale at Star Tribune. VERBATIM: “Joe, who had been executive chair since 2022, wanted to stay in his role, Tom said, but the family thought a change was in the best interest of the organization. . . . ‘It’s been hard on our family,’ Tom Pohlad said. ‘This decision to make a transition within our family has been extremely difficult. It’s been hard on the relationship between Joe and myself. It’s been especially hard on my dad and my two uncles.’ “
DRAWING MORE BLOOD: Tom Pohlad acknowledged the strained relationship between the Twins and fans, and noted that he didn’t have any part in the trade-deadline break-up of the roster in July. VERBATIM: “It’s undeniable that we haven’t won enough baseball games, the financial health of the club has been put in jeopardy, and we’ve got a fan base that has lost trust in us as owners — and, as a result, this organization and the direction it’s headed. With the conclusion of the transaction, now is the time to put new leadership in place and to have a renewed sense of energy, a renewed sense of focus, a different level of accountability, and ultimately a clear direction on where we’re taking this organization.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/pohlads1218
HALF-MEASURES? Via Aaron Gleeman at The Athletic. Tom Pohlad revealed three interesting things in a conversation with Gleeman. (1) The decision to remove his brother was made only a month ago — a dramatic change from earlier reports that Joe Pohlad said he still wanted to be a part of the organization even if the team was sold. (2) Management and ownership did consider a full housecleaning of the remaining stars. (3) Team payroll is likely to remain close to the current $100 million level for 2026. VERBATIM: “I asked whether he’s worried the Twins are taking a half-measure by keeping star players Byron Buxton, Joe Ryan and Pablo López without supporting them by increasing the payroll to add impact talent to a roster that went 70-92 last season. ‘I worry about it,’ Pohlad said. ‘Half-measures are not good. And you’ll probably get to know me over time: I’m not a half-measure guy. I’m a ‘go big or go home’ guy. But again, to your point, how do we thread the needle here, and do what’s in the best interest of the fan base? Every decision, you’ve got to look at through a couple of lenses. What’s the short-term return you get and what’s the long-term return you get? You try to make a good balance of long-term and short-term decisions that equal something great. And that’s what we’re trying to do here. I don’t think this is going to be, as you said, a half-measure. I don’t think this is a half-measure.’ ” FULL STORY: https://fluence-media.co/tompohlad1218
MY TAKE: Tom Pohlad won the press conference Wednesday by cutting open a vein and recognizing the team’s ham-handed direction in recent years — and by acknowledging that people are pissed off. If anyone with the Twins still needed proof, I’m certain it existed in the season-ticket renewals for 2026. But winning the press conference will be a short-lived triumph if he doesn’t live up to being more connected to fans and demanding that changes are made in how the organization is run. This quote from Pohlad in Gleeman’s story was striking: “I think the rub, if you will, on the organization, historically speaking, is there’s a feeling, which I might share, that we continue to run the same playbook over and over, hoping for a different result.”
ONE MORE TAKE: I am about 110% convinced that Wild owner Craig Leipold did not come on board to watch the franchise disintegrate further — and that the minority owners wanted changes made before they agreed to be part of the deal. Clearing $500 million in debt was powerful incentive for the Pohlads to take action. As a season-ticket holder, I’m hopeful of more change. Now I need to be convinced.
ABOUT THE NEW PARTNERS: Via Star Tribune. https://fluence-media.co/partners1218
WILD FOR THE WIN: What did the Wild do when it traded three key players and a first-round draft pick to Vancouver for Quinn Hughes, winner of the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s outstanding defenseman in 2023-24? The move threw down a challenge that anything less than reaching the Stanley Cup Finals will be a disappointment.
WHAT THEY DISCOVERED: After a sloppy several weeks to open the season, the Wild found out how good they are — and GM Bill Guerin has gone all-in on next-level excellence and expectations. Being fifth in the league in points makes it that much harder to remember than the team went 3-9 in October — losing six of those games by at least three goals. The win on Tuesday vs. Washington was their 16th in the 21 games since — and half of those have been by at least three goals.
GETTING UP TO SPEED: Via Michael Russo and Joe Smith at The Athletic. If you’re not deep into hockey, here’s a good explanation of what Hughes brings to the Wild as one of the game’s most elite defensemen. This story traces Hughes’ career arc, including thoughts from Brock Boeser of the Canucks, who starred at Burnsville and for the University of North Dakota. He was there when Hughes came to Vancouver in 2018. VERBATIM: “He went on the ice, and it was just like, ‘Holy s—. He’s so good. The way he skated was just like, ‘Holy s—.’ And then he kept getting better and better. What he started doing his rookie year, I was like, ‘Wow. This is the start of a superstar. . . . He dominates out there. He controls the play from the back. Honestly, it’s just amazing to watch. He’s that good.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/canucks1218
THE ROOMS WHERE IT HAPPENED: Via Rachel Kryshak and Greg Wyshynski at ESPN. Hughes was traded because the mediocre Canucks knew he would be leaving via free agency after the 2027 season and this was the best chance to maximize his value. But how did the Wild win the dealing derby, especially with Hughes having two brothers on the New Jersey Devils? Part of the reason is the relationship that Hughes had previously built with GM Guerin. But there’s a lot more. READ: https://fluence-media.co/trade1218
KG BACK: Via Shams Charania at ESPN. Not many details yet, but this news will be well received. VERBATIM: “Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett has agreed to reunite with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx in a new, all-encompassing role involving business, community and fan-engagement efforts and content development, sources told ESPN on Thursday. The Timberwolves also will hold Garnett’s much-awaited No. 21 jersey retirement ceremony in Minnesota over the next two seasons, sources said. Garnett had been distant from the Timberwolves since his playing career ended in 2016 due to a fallout with former owner Glen Taylor, with Garnett refusing to have his jersey retired, but he built a rapport with new governors Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez and the sides found common ground on a reunion.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/kg1218
WOLVES ON POINT: As the Wolve.s revamped their offense this season, looking to quicken their pace of play, the thing missing was a point guard suited to managing the attack. Veteran Mike Conley doesn’t fit that style and his teammates who were trying to fill the void aren’t the best fits. (If you need an example of another team that’s struggling badly through a similar situation, look at the Indiana Pacers without injured Tyrese Haliburton and their drop from being NBA runners-up to their current 6-20 record.) But barring a major trade —, the team has salary cap issues — the solution must come from the current roster or an inexpensive addition. That’s the reason veteran Bones Hyland recently entered the rotation — and coach Chris Finch’s starting lineup.
THE BONES BONUS: Via Britt Robson at MinnPost. Hyland doesn’t have to be a standout. He just needs to be solid enough that his teammates can do what they do best instead of taking on extra responsibilities. VERBATIM: “Finch obviously watches Bones in practice all the time; his praise for Hyland as a pass-first player with a point-guard mentality may be more than wishful thinking. If so, kudos to Bones for . . . molding his skill set in an attempt to fill a glaring need on the Wolves roster. But even if Bones isn’t all what Finch dreams him to be, hats off to a player who has fully inhabited an attitude that makes him a beneficial presence in the locker room and on the court.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/bones1218
UNRIVALED, SEASON 2: The second season of the league, co-founded by Lynx star Napheesa Collier, kicks off January 5. The 3-on-3 league has expanded from six teams to eight. Collier, the league MVP, is back with her Lunar Owls team, which also includes former Gophers star Rachel Banham. Other Lynx players are Natisha Hiedeman (Hive), Courtney Williams (Vinyl) and Alanna Smith (Mist). Paige Bueckers is on the new Breeze team. Schedule and TV info are here.
LYNX AROUND THE WORLD: Via Mitchell Hansen at Canis Hoopus. Eight other Lynx players from last season’s roster are playing overseas, including starters Kayla McBride and Bridget Carlson, who is playing in her seventh country since turning pro. Reserves Maria Kliundikova and Anastasiia Kosu are teammates in Russia, their home country. FULL LIST AND STATS: https://fluence-media.co/lynx1218
FOWLES GETS NEW JOB: Former Lynx star and basketball Hall of Famer Sylvia Fowles is joining the expansion Portland Fire as an assistant coach.
McCARTHY TAKES ANOTHER STEP: Via Derrek Klassen at The Athletic. In his latest games, J.J. McCarthy has led the Vikings to wins over a discombobulated Washington team and a Dallas team that plays defense as an afterthought. He’ll face the 2-12 Giants on Sunday before a two-part final exam of sorts against the Lions and Packers. Against the Cowboys, there were enough ups to render the downs as learning experiences rather than game-killers. STATS: 15-for-24, 250 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, 108 quarterback rating. VERBATIM: “The numbers are nice, but McCarthy also passed the eye test in a way he hadn’t before. He looked more settled in the pocket and decisive with the ball. He still has a ways to go and needs to speed up his process a tick or two, but putting any amount of cool and collected play on film is a step in the right direction.”
MORE: “The flip side of Sunday’s McCarthy experience was that he still largely struggled to make difficult plays. He pulled off a couple of useful scrambles, but the high-difficulty throws still proved too much for him. . . . Warts and all, this was still what the Vikings should want from McCarthy.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/jj1218
VIKINGS (6-8) VS. GIANTS (2-12): Noon Sunday kickoff on Fox and the Vikings Audio Network. Vikings depth chart | Real-time betting info, match-ups | Giants web site
CHRISTMAS WITH THE VIKINGS: The Vikings-Lions game on Christmas Day will be streamed on Netflix. But the game will also be shown on WCCO in Minnesota, so you won’t have to play “Who has a password?” when you’re gathered at Uncle Christian’s house to ponder McCarthy’s future.
DOUBTS ABOUT DARNOLD: Via Jeff Howe at The Athletic. Vikings fans went through what Seattle Seahawks fans will watch from now through the end of their season. Is Sam Darnold good enough to lead a team to a title? The test starts tonight against the Rams (7:15 p.m., Prime) and it’s a do-over for Darnold after his two-game flop against the Lions and Rams that ended Minnesota’s 2024 season. VERBATIM: “Darnold would love to help his new team pull off a conference-altering victory as a form of retribution from a season ago, when his career revival with the Minnesota Vikings was soured by a late two-game tailspin, with both games at night in front of a national audience. Though Darnold ultimately landed a three-year, $100.5 million contract in free agency, that closing stretch almost certainly impacted the total value of his deal, along with his public perception as a top-tier QB.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/darnold1218
GOTTA DO BETTER: The Rams and Seahawks are tied for first in the NFC West with 11-3 records. That includes a 21-19 Rams victory last month in which Darnold threw four interceptions and no touchdown passes and had a lower quarterback rating than he did in the losses that ended last season. BOX SCORE: https://fluence-media.co/box1218.
GOOD-BYE DAYNE: MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Dayne St. Clair is said to be close to signing with 2025 champion Inter-Miami after not reaching agreement on a new contract with Minnesota United. Miami switched starting goalkeepers at midseason and St. Clair, who is likely to be a starter for Canada in the World Cup, would be an upgrade. He played 159 games for the Loons. MY TAKE: It will be (1) be tough for the Loons to replace St. Clair in goal and (2) the way he played this season — both the results and the swagger — got some people to follow MNUFC in a way they wouldn’t have otherwise. Moving to a bigger stage is a logical move. REPORTS: The Athletic | Yahoo!
HERE’S THE DEAL: Via Andy Greder at Pioneer Press. VERBATIM: “Minnesota United offered Dayne St. Clair a contract with an annual salary in excess of $1 million, more money than any other MLS club could offer, but the Canadian international turned it down, a source told the Pioneer Press on Wednesday. . . . Instead of maximizing salary, he will push the limit on exposure. Entering his prime at age 28, St. Clair is the top goalie for Canada’s men’s national team going into next summer’s FIFA World Cup and will join one of MLS’ most-followed and glitziest clubs.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/deal1218
TRIBUTE VIDEO: How do you become Goalkeeper of the Year? WATCH THIS: https://fluence-media.co/keeper1218
FIRED-UP FOE: Via Sean Reider at Albuquerque Journal. The Gophers will be facing an opponent in next Friday’s Rate Bowl that is fired up about the dramatic turnaround in its football program. New Mexico finished the season with a six-game winning streak, a first-place tie in the Mountain West Conference and its first bowl appearance in nine years. The upshot: A contract extension for first-year coach Jason Eck that runs through 2030. VERBATIM: “UNM Athletic Director Fernando Lovo said conversations around the new deal started over the last couple of weeks. There was a ‘sense of urgency’ . . . to get a new deal done in light of Eck and UNM’s success on and off the field; football attendance increased 51.8% in Eck’s first season, the largest one-year jump in FBS.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/unm1218
AMBUSH? Via Adam Rittenberg at ESPN. The Gophers are currently a slight favorite, but . . . VERBATIM: “When it comes to outsized coaching personalities, few bowl matchups will deliver better than Jason Eck and P.J. Fleck. Eck, a former Wisconsin lineman who is familiar with Minnesota from his playing days, won Mountain West Coach of the Year honors in his debut season with New Mexico, which tied for first in the league and went 6-0 at home for the first time since 1934. The Lobos haven’t played in a bowl outside their home state since 2004, but will be well-represented in Phoenix. My lean is New Mexico. New Mexico 24, Minnesota 20.” MORE BOWL PREDICTIONS: https://fluence-media.co/bowls1218
GOPHERS (7-5) VS. NEW MEXICO (9-3): Dec. 26 3:30 p.m. kickoff on ESPN and the Varsity Network (audio). Gophers depth chart | Real-time betting info, match-ups | New Mexico web site
RIVER FALLS ROLLS ON: UW-River Falls hosts Johns Hopkins at noon Saturday (ESPN+) in the Division III football semifinals after crushing Wheaton College 46-21 last Saturday in a zero-degree chill. Temperatures should be in the 20s on Saturday, which should minimize the need for this bit of strategy that coach Matt Walker explained to Pioneer Press writer Tris Wykes. VERBATIM: “We had a full plan to rotate players in and out of (sideline warming) tents and (reserve) players who were responsible for wearing guys’ coats and keeping them warm while they were on the field.” NEXT: Winning would advance River Falls to the D-III title game on Jan. 4 in Canton, Ohio. TICKETS | PLAYOFF BRACKET
WORLD JUNIORS HOCKEY: Buzz is building for the annual tournament, which comes to the Twin Cities and is opening Dec. 26 at Grand Casino and Mariucci arenas. My favorite description of the event comes from today’s Axios newsletter, which also provides a solid bullet-point guide to the event, which runs through January 5th: VERBATIM: “Imagine if someone combined the Frozen Four’s collegiate-level players, the Minnesota state high school hockey tournament’s spectacle, and the Olympics’ international glory — that’s World Juniors.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/guide1218
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW: (1) The United States will be trying to win the tournament for the fourth time in the last six years, and the third year in a row. (2) Canada has won it 20 times. (3) Team USA’s coach is Bob Motzko, head coach of the Gophers, and there are eight Minnesota players on the squad. (4) The opener for Motzko’s team is at 5 p.m. on Dec. 26 vs. Germany at Grand Casino Arena. (5) Most games will be shown on the NHL Network and some on ESPN+.
TOURNAMENT GUIDE: SCHEDULE | TICKETS | TEAM USA ROSTER | BUY STUFF
AWESOME WAYZATA: A Minnesota college coach told me recently that Wayzata’s boys’ basketball team may be the best he’s even seen. The defending Class 4A champs are 6-0 this season, including a 30-point win last weekend over 4A runner-up Totino-Grace. The No. 1-ranked Trojans play at Breck School tonight and have a showdown at 1 p.m. Tuesday at home against 4-0 Totino-Grace, which is No. 1 in Class 3A. Wayzata features 6-foot-6 forward Nolen Anderson and 6-foot-4 guard Christian Wiggins, who are ranked as the top two seniors in the state and have committed to the Gophers and Iowa State respectively. WAYZATA VS. TOTINO-GRACE TICKETS (Admission at Breck is free.)
HOLIDAY TOURNAMENTS: Starting this weekend and running through the end of the year, there are dozens of high school basketball and hockey tournaments and festivals around the state. Here are links to sort them out. BOYS’ BASKETBALL | GIRLS’ BASKETBALL | BOYS’ HOCKEY | GIRLS’ HOCKEY
AND FINALLY: I appreciate the 9,000 or so of you who subscribe to Sports Take. It gives me a chance to explore things on your behalf and amplify others whose work may not get the attention it deserves. Your thoughts are always welcome. Keep in touch!
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