The Minnesota Timberwolves have been handed an expensive reminder of what can and cannot happen as NBA teams prepare for seasons.
On Monday, the Association announced the Timberwolves have been fined $250,000 "for violating league rules that prohibit teams from arranging or paying for offseason practice or group workout sessions for their players outside a team’s home market." The infraction occurred in Miami in early September.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski adds the fine is related to a team dinner with Timberwolves minority shareholders Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore. According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, those involved didn't go out of the way to keep that gathering private:
Pretty cut and dry with this case.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) November 15, 2021
There were multiple pictures on social media of Minnesota players participating in workouts in Miami. https://t.co/SENvP8jJnk
Here’s the language from the NBA Operations Manual.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) November 15, 2021
It’s actually the first rule in the 786 page document. pic.twitter.com/1JgSnNcm8F
Interestingly, the Timberwolves' Twitter account actually shared a photo of the team spending time together in Florida on Sept. 8:
Family photo pic.twitter.com/VhP0qQUvbl
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) September 8, 2021
Per Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune, Rodriguez and Lore are purchasing the Timberwolves for $1.5 billion. Perhaps they will be more careful about what the club shares via social media moving forward even if the fine is little more than a slap on the wrist.
The 4-8 Timberwolves host the 9-3 Phoenix Suns on Monday night.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!