Timberwolves Owner Glen Taylor Introduces "No-Risk Pledge"

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – In response to the current economic conditions facing all Minnesotans, Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor today introduced the team's new 2009-10 season ticket campaign that includes a sweeping range of programs that address fans' needs. One of the centerpieces of the campaign is the new "No-Risk Pledge," which eliminates the risk of the uncertain economy for Wolves season ticket holders by guaranteeing a refund of their unused tickets should they lose their jobs in 2009.

Along with the "No-Risk Pledge," the Timberwolves announced a rollback of ticket prices for next season – 95% of season tickets lowering in price (through July 1) and the remaining 5% staying flat – through the team's new ticket sales campaign dubbed "One Team." Also, the Timberwolves have introduced a new nine-month, no interest, no additional fees payment plan for season ticket purchases.

"The economy right now is uncertain and we've listened to our fans' concerns and responded by providing reduced ticket pricing, new payment plan options and protection against job loss - all of which are important to Minnesotans right now," said Taylor. "I don't want these uncertain times to deter our fans from coming out to Target Center and enjoying NBA basketball.

"We are in a rebuilding process with the team, but in January our fans had the opportunity to see firsthand the potential we think this team has. We believe strongly in our core group of players led by Al Jefferson, Randy Foye and Kevin Love, and also believe the future is extremely bright. As an NBA owner, I believe in the value that a franchise brings to the community, and I don't want these economic times to stand in the way of providing a home-court advantage for our team and our players."

For the third consecutive season, the Timberwolves will feature an "Early Bird" pricing program (starting today through July 1) that provides the best season ticket pricing for a limited time. Through the Wolves' "Early Bird" campaign, lower-level season ticket prices start as low as $15, and upper level seats start at only $5.
The Timberwolves have also introduced new Loge Box seating in the four corners of the arena next to the tunnels at each end of the court. The Loge Boxes provide fans spacious table seating in ideal locations complete with stats monitors, complimentary food and beverages and free parking.

The Timberwolves will continue to provide one of the most comprehensive season ticket holder rewards programs in all of sports with the team's MVP Renewal Rewards Program that was introduced last year. This program allows season ticket holders to redeem points they've earned for unique one-of-a-kind Wolves items and experiences. Fans renewing their current season tickets will be entered into prize drawings starting on March 9, in which a new prize will be awarded each Wolves game day until the end of the season.

"I really think that our 'No-Risk Pledge,' along with our reduction in ticket prices, $5 season tickets and our great service team, provides the best entertainment value in the Twin Cities and one of the best in the country," Taylor added. "I'm very proud that we are able to meet our fans' needs by providing affordable family entertainment."

Jefferson done with ACL tear

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced that center Al Jefferson will be out indefinitely after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) study done this morning revealed the extent of the injury, which occurred in Minnesota's game last night at New Orleans. The date for surgery has yet to be determined.

"This is an unfortunate situation for Al and we wish him a quick recovery," said Timberwolves head coach Kevin McHale. "Al has been playing at an all-star level all season and has been our go-to-guy on the court. Knowing Al, he will work hard in his rehab efforts to get back on the court as soon as possible. In the interim, I'm confident that the other players on our roster will step up and meet this challenge."

Jefferson has appeared in all 50 games for the Timberwolves this season with averages of 23.1 ppg (7th in NBA), 11.0 rpg (6th in NBA), and 1.7 bpg. The fifth-year center is one of just three players in the NBA (Dwight Howard, Tim Duncan) to post at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game this season. Jefferson also ranks fifth in the NBA with 30 double-doubles in 2008-09 and is shooting 49.7% from the field while averaging a career-best 73.8% from the free-throw line. In his five-year NBA career, Jefferson has posted averages of 14.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.

Van Gundy, McHale are Coaches of the Month

NEW YORK, Feb. 2, 2009 – The Orlando Magic’s Stan Van Gundy and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin McHale today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in January.

Van Gundy guided the Magic to the best winning percentage for Eastern Conference teams in January (.769) by virtue of its 10-3 mark for the month. Orlando bested the Spurs, Lakers and Nuggets on the road as well as the Cavaliers at home. The victories in San Antonio and Los Angeles helped Orlando to record its first season-series sweeps in franchise history over those teams. Orlando outscored its January opponents by 10.2 ppg.

McHale led the Timberwolves to a 10-4 (.714) record, good for a share of the third-best mark in the Western Conference (Denver) for games played in January. The 10 wins marked Minnesota’s most successful month since March, 2005, when the Timberwolves posted a 10-5 record. Minnesota won five straight games to open the month, and posted a 5-1 mark on the road.

Other nominees for the Coach of the Month were Boston’s Doc Rivers, Charlotte’s Larry Brown, Cleveland’s Mike Brown, Denver’s George Karl, New York’s Mike D’Antoni, Philadelphia’s Tony DiLeo, Portland’s Nate McMillan and San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich.

Last chance for McHale in Minnesota

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The NBA's coaching ranks are starting to resemble the killing fields.

Minnesota's Randy Wittman was the fourth head coach to pay for the sins of his boss this season when Kevin McHale, the Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations, wielded Paul Bunyan's axe to Wittman's career on Monday.

But, unlike Sam Presti, who unloaded P.J. Carlesimo in Oklahoma City, Ernie Grunfeld, who jettisoned Eddie Jordan in Washington and Bryan Colangelo, who ousted Sam Mitchell in Toronto, McHale is going to have to oversee the mess he created in the Twin Cities.

T-Wolves owner Glen Taylor "convinced" McHale to relinquish his front-office duties in order to take over the club and concentrate on coaching.

Reading between the lines, a rather long honeymoon is finally nearing an end for McHale in the Twin Cities.

Your average general manager with a similar resume to McHale would have been shown the door years ago. But, McHale, a Hall of Fame player with an incredible drop-step move for the Boston Celtics, is a Minnesota legend.

"I'm confident that we can get this turned around and get back to playing a brand of basketball that our fans can be proud of," Kevin McHale said.

Born in Hibbing, he was Minnesota's Mr. Basketball during his senior season at Hibbing High School. The 6-foot-10 power forward then moved on to the University of Minnesota where he was named All-Big Ten in 1979 and 1980.

Simply put, Kevin McHale is basketball in Minnesota. In 1992, he was elected to the Minnesota State High School League Hall of Fame and, in 1995, he was selected as top player in the history of University of Minnesota men's basketball.

McHale's tenure running the Timberwolves pales in comparison to his brilliant exploits on the court, however. His teams won just two playoff series during Kevin Garnett's 12 brilliant seasons in Minneapolis. He then jettisoned Garnett in July of 2007 for five players and two draft picks in the NBA's largest deal for a single player, a trade that looked like a favor to his old teammate Danny Ainge.

Of course, Garnett went on to win four playoff series during his first season in Boston and the NBA championship. This season, the Celtics are off to a gaudy 20-2 start.

Meanwhile, the Wolves are a miserable 26-75 since the trade and 4-15 this season, including a lopsided loss at home to the equally woeful Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.

So, Taylor threw down the gauntlet and put McHale on notice.

"There were certain goals and expectations that we had for this team at the start of the season, and we have not lived up to them," Taylor said in a statement. "I am disappointed in our record and believe that we have more talent than our record indicates. A change had to be made and with three-fourths of the season remaining, there is still time to make substantial progress this year."

The last time McHale stepped down from his throne was during the 2004-05 season after he fired his good friend Flip Saunders and coached the final 31 games that season. He actually did a good job, injecting life into the Wolves and guiding them to a 19-12 record down the stretch.

A similar showing is needed if McHale hopes to avoid joining Wittman on the unemployment line.

"Kevin has assembled the players on this team, and believes in their talent and skill level," Taylor said. "It is my expectation that Kevin will be able to get the most out of our team and our players in his new role as head coach."

With his back against the wall and his tenure hanging in the balance, McHale agreed.

"I truly believe that we have a talented group of players in our locker room who have a great amount of potential," said McHale. "I'm confident that we can get this turned around and get back to playing a brand of basketball that our fans can be proud of."

Of course, what else could McHale say?

He is the architect of the eyesore that is the T-Wolves, and now he is finally being held accountable.

T-Wolves' Brewer done for season

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced that forward Corey Brewer will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study done this morning revealed the extent of the injury, which occurred during Minnesota's game vs. Denver on Saturday night. The date for surgery has yet to be determined.

"This is a tough situation for Corey and we feel for him," said Timberwolves VP of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale. "Corey has worked extremely hard on his game. He was starting to really feel comfortable on the floor and was playing well. We'll miss his energy, defensive mindedness and toughness moving forward."

Wolves exercise options on Foye, Brewer

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced that the team has exercised the third-year option on forward Corey Brewer and the fourth-year option on guard Randy Foye.

Brewer, a second-year forward from Florida, averaged 5.8 points and 3.7 rebounds in 22.8 minutes per game during his rookie campaign and ranked fourth among all NBA rookies with 0.96 steals per game. Brewer scored in double figures 18 times last season, and his 18 rebounds at Atlanta on Dec. 6 were the most by a Wolves rookie in 12 years.

Foye, the seventh overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft out of Villanova, appeared in 39 games for the Wolves last season after missing the season's first three months while recovering from a knee injury. A member of the NBA All-Rookie Team in 2007, Foye averaged 13.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game last season.

Taylor to head NBA Board of Governors

NBA Commissioner David Stern today announced that Glen Taylor, owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves, has been unanimously elected Chairman of the NBA Board of Governors. Taylor replaces Miami Heat Managing General Partner Micky Arison, who served as Chairman for the past three years.

"I want to extend my gratitude to Micky Arison for his three years of service and invaluable contributions as the Chairman of our Board," Stern said. "We are fortunate to have someone with Glen Taylor's experience and knowledge to step in and ensure the same high standards that Micky has exhibited during his tenure."

"This is a great honor to be elected Chairman of the NBA Board of Governors," Taylor said. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for my peers and fellow owners in the league. This is a unique opportunity to work with Commissioner Stern, his staff and the NBA both nationally and internationally to build the NBA brand. I accept this not only on behalf of myself, but the entire Timberwolves organization. I believe it speaks to our reputation as a franchise within the league."

Along with membership on the Board of Governors, Taylor previously served as the Chairman of the NBA's Audit Committee and has been a member of the Advisory/Finance, Planning and Labor Relations Committees.

Taylor, a former Minnesota state senator, has served as the majority owner of the Timberwolves since March 23, 1995. During his ownership, Taylor has overseen eight playoff teams including the 2004 edition of the Wolves who advanced to the Western Conference Finals.

Taylor is Chairman of the Board of Taylor Corporation. The Taylor companies, which are involved in printing, marketing and technology-based industries, include more than 70 operating divisions in 19 U.S. states, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and Mexico.

Taylor's business savvy has been recognized by Corporate Report magazine, which honored him as its Executive of the Year in 1987, and the Sales and Marketing Executives of Minneapolis/St. Paul, who awarded him with their Sales Executive of the Year Award in 1999. He was also inducted into the Minnesota Hall of Fame by Twin Cities Monthly Magazine.

Through personal involvement, Taylor has remained active in many civic and charitable causes. Last preseason, Taylor and his Timberwolves players and coaches led an NBA Cares imitative, in partnership with the Starkey Hearing Foundation, to fit several hundred children with hearing aids during the team's training camp in Istanbul, Turkey. Taylor and his family have provided financial assistance and participated in other Starkey missions to Africa, Egypt and Central America.

Timberwolves waived three including Richard

The Minnesota Timberwolves waived guard Blake Ahearn, forward Chris Richard and center David Harrison.

Ahearn, signed as a free agent on Sept. 29, appeared in five preseason games for the Wolves, averaging 7.8 points and 1.2 assists in 11.6 minutes per game.

Minnesota selected Richard in the second round (41st overall pick) of the 2007 NBA Draft. The Florida alum appeared in five games this preseason, averaging 1.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per game. In his rookie season with the Wolves, Richard appeared in 52 games, averaging 1.9 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.

Harrison, signed as a free agent on Oct. 9, has been sidelined throughout the preseason with a strained right calf.

'Wolves Telfair suspended

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Sebastian Telfair has been suspended without pay Tuesday for three games, the NBA announced Tuesday.

Telfair was arrested on a gun possession charge after a car in which he was driving was stopped for going 77 miles per hour in Yonkers, New York on April 20, 2007.

Telfair, who was on the Boston Celtics at the time, was charged with second-degree possession of a handgun and driving with a suspended license. He later pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a weapon.

"I've talked to Sebastian about the incident. This is something that happened in the past, and he is looking forward to putting this behind him," 'Wolves VP of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale said in a statement. "Since he has been a member of the Timberwolves, Sebastian has been a great teammate and has been actively involved in the community. I couldn't be more proud of Sebastian's continued improvement as a basketball player and as a young man."

'Wolves waive Araujo

The Minnesota Timberwolves have released center Rafael Araujo.

Araujo, a 6-11 center from BYU, played five minutes (one point, two rebounds) in two preseason games for the Wolves. A former first-round pick of the Toronto Raptors, he signed with the Timberwolves on Sept. 29.

'Wolves sign former Colorado star

The Minnesota Timberwolves signed free-agent center David Harrison Thursday.

Harrison, a 7-foot center from Colorado, was selected by the Indiana Pacers in the first round (29th overall) of the 2004 NBA Draft. He has appeared in 189 games (33 starts) in four seasons with the Pacers, averaging 5.0 points and 2.9 rebounds per game while shooting over 50 percent from the field in each of his four NBA campaigns (53.0% for his career).

A three-year standout at Colorado, Harrison left as the school's all-time leader in blocked shots (225; fourth all-time in the Big 12) and field goal percentage (60.2 percent). He earned First Team All-Big 12 and AP All-America Honorable Mention honors following his junior season.