In a significant announcement that has the potential to reshape the future of baseball in Minnesota, the Pohlad family revealed today the addition of new limited partners to the ownership group of the Minnesota Twins, following the green light from Major League Baseball. Among the principal investors joining this historic franchise are Glick Family Investments and George G. Hicks, who are collaborating with several influential business figures from Minnesota. Notably, Craig Leipold, the majority owner and principal investor of Minnesota Sports & Entertainment (MSE), is also stepping in as a limited partner independently. These new partners will hold non-controlling, minority stakes in the Twins, while the Pohlad family maintains its controlling interest and continues to manage daily operations. The collective expertise brought by the new limited partners spans across various sectors, including business, sports, and entertainment, further enriching the Twins' leadership landscape.
As part of this transition, the franchise is set to implement a new leadership framework, with Tom Pohlad taking over from Joe Pohlad, who previously held the title of Executive Chair, to manage the organization. Pending the necessary approval from MLB, Tom Pohlad will also replace Jim Pohlad to become the franchise’s Control Person, acting as the primary contact with the league.
Tom Pohlad expressed his passion for the role, stating, "It is a profound honor to have the opportunity to continue a legacy that has been part of my family — and this community — for the past forty years. My uncle and my brother have led this organization with integrity, dedication, and a genuine love for the game. As I assume my new role, I do so with great respect for our history and a clear focus on the future — one defined by accountability and stewardship in our relentless pursuit of a championship."
Joe Pohlad reflected on his time in leadership, saying, "It has been one of the greatest responsibilities and privileges of my life to work alongside the people in this organization and to serve our fans. As we begin this next chapter in our ownership of the Twins, I will be stepping away from my day-to-day role. I will continue to champion our employees and Twins Territory as our organization moves forward."
Tom Pohlad has been active in the Pohlad Companies as the outgoing Executive Chairman, where he directed the Family Board and steered the strategic vision for a diverse portfolio of family-owned businesses. His previous leadership roles included serving as CEO of PaR Systems and as President and COO of Carousel Motor Group. Tom joined the family business after graduating from Boston College in 2002 and remains involved with the institution as a member of its Board of Regents, in addition to serving on the Board of Trustees at Breck School.
Glick Family Investments operates as a multi-generational family office, focusing on long-term investments aimed at creating value. They prioritize direct investments in high-quality businesses across a wide array of asset categories.
George G. Hicks is a co-founder and co-executive chair of Värde Partners, a global credit firm managing around $16 billion in assets, with offices located in major cities such as Minneapolis, New York, London, Luxembourg, Singapore, and Mumbai. Since founding Värde in 1993, Hicks has played a crucial role in transforming it from a nascent company into a renowned global investment powerhouse, and he currently serves on its Investment Committee. A native of Minnesota and a former executive at Cargill Financial, Hicks earned his undergraduate degree from Gustavus Adolphus College, followed by a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School. In 2023, he was honored with induction into the Gustavus Adolphus College Hall of Fame as a benefactor.
Hicks shared his excitement about joining the Twins organization, stating, "As a lifelong Twins fan, I am honored and excited to join the Pohlad family as a steward of this beloved franchise. Like many in the state, some of my favorite memories are of times spent watching and cheering for the Twins. The leaders I represent share these values and recognize the importance of Twins baseball to our communities. This is the opportunity of a lifetime and one we view as a true privilege and responsibility."
The Pohlad family and the Minnesota Twins received financial advisory services from Allen & Company, while Hogan Lovells US LLP, under the guidance of Matthew Eisler and Russell Hedman, acted as lead legal counsel. Additionally, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP served as counsel for debt-related matters.
