There was immediate speculation about whether Pohlad would consider selling the team after winning the World Series because he sought a buyer for a 40% share in the club.
“I’m not looking to make a barrel of money, or make 8-10 percent return,” he said. “I would just like to break even. No, I haven’t thought about [selling]. … But people have to understand, we’re in a small market and we have a cap even on what I’m willing to contribute to this community to keep baseball here.”
Three years after Pohlad announced his intentions to seek a new ballpark to replace the Metrodome, Pohlad threatened to sell the club to Don Beaver, a North Carolina investor who wanted to move the team to Greensboro or Charlotte.
“I’ve done everything I can to keep baseball here,” Pohlad said. “Nobody seems to care whether the Twins stay or not.”
The potential deal fell apart when North Carolina voters rejected a stadium referendum in May 1998. Another attempt to sell the team to a group led by Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor and Wild managing partner Robert Naegele Jr. in 1999 was stopped when St. Paul voters rejected a sales tax increase to fund a new stadium.
Without optimism for a new ballpark, Pohlad could’ve received a $150 million buyout from fellow baseball owners if the Twins were one of the two teams contracted from the league. Owners voted 28-2 to kill the Twins and Montreal Expos.