With Marc Lore and A-Rod finally sealing the Timberwolves deal, the buzz isn’t just about ownership, it’s about what happens next. Ticket prices, fan affordability, and how new owners shape the in-arena experience are becoming central to franchise value and fan trust.

Despite soaring valuations, many fans don’t realize that ownership changes often trigger pricing shifts, especially when profitability becomes a priority. Owners also spend a hefty amount on renovation, rebranding, and fan experience. So, what does it cost to buy an NBA team, and what will it cost fans in return?

Minnesota’s Fan Cost Index compared to other NBA teams

While the inflation has gone up by almost 26.7% between 2015-2024, some team owners have kept the fan cost pretty low. Or unchanged. Glen Taylor of the Minnesota Timberwolves was one of them.

A recent report from Hard Rock Bet reveals the fan cost – the price of ticket, parking, food, and merchandise for a family of four – in three different decades: 

• 1991: $121.74
• 2015: $281.06
• 2024: $298.80

As you can see in the last ten years, the cost to attend a Timberwolves match has gone up by only 6%. Comparably, a report from 2022 revealed that a family of four needs to spend around $711.76 to watch a Knicks match, a 37% increase in ten years. 

Now the question is whether the minuscule percentage of increase will remain stagnant, or will the prices shoot up after the $1.5B Timberwolves sale, which even made Alex Rodriguez nostalgic? 

Ownership change has also hit fans’ pockets

Historically, there have been instances of new owners coming in and increasing ticket prices to recoup the investment. For example:

• Steve Cohen bought the Mets for $1.5B in 2020. The FCI for the New York Mets went up by 3.20% in 2021. 
• The Harris Group bought the Washington Commanders for $6.05B in 2023. The ticket prices went up by an average of 24% next year. 
• The Phoenix Sun was sold to Mat Ishbia in 2023. The gameday cost went up 8.74% exceeding the NBA average.  

What does this tell us? Ownership shifts revenue focus to possible price hikes. They also undertake renovation projects and fan experience upgradation. Which drives up the real cost of owning a team. 

What’s the real cost of entry into an NBA team?

NBA valuations now regularly cross $3–4 billion (e.g., Suns $4B, Hornets $3B).

What you pay to buy a team is only the beginning—renovations, market rebranding, premium seating, and global expansion costs come after. Take stadium renovation costs for example: 

• Madison Square Garden (2013): $1.1 billion. 
• Wells Fargo Center (2024): $400 million
• Kia Center (2024): $226 million

Add on top of that the upgradation of the fan experience inside the arena. Back in 2017, the Target Center underwent multiple changes to elevate the gameday feel: 

• A new center-hung scoreboard
• New Wi-Fi system and upgraded sound system
• All new seats for fan comfort.

The projected cost of all these was pegged at $140M. Let’s also not forget about the rebranding of the Timberwolves. The Washington Commanders’ rebranding cost them around $10M. So, will all of that come to the fans? Not necessarily. 

A friend-friendly and pocket-friendly path to profit? Yes, it exists.

Short answer, yes. Long answer, yes, if you follow the right model. NBA’s Detroit Pistons have actually increased the average gameday cost by only 98% in the last 33 years. That’s actually lower than inflation (120.8%) in the same time period.

The average ticket price is $50, and the team earns $30 per fan. The team has gone up from $850M in 2015 to $3.4B i 2024. So yes, there is a chance where you can spare the fan and still be profitable. So, fan-friendly doesn’t always mean losing revenue, especially in digital media and sponsorship eras. Only time will tell which way Alex Rodriguez will shepherd the Wolves.