But his crown jewel as a business titan is the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, which he acquired with serial e-commerce entrepreneur and former Walmart (WMT<\/a>) exec Marc Lore. <\/p>\n Meanwhile, a dark cloud hangs over MLB’s future as a fresh labor war threatens to disrupt the 2027 season. <\/p>\n The current collective bargaining agreement is set to expire at 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 1, 2026. <\/p>\n The primary battleground is a clash over money. Team owners are aggressively pushing for a strict salary cap. The MLB Players Association remains unyielding in its opposition to any form of a cap while demanding earlier paths to free agency and arbitration. <\/p>\n Here are several excerpts from our interview with Rodriguez. The comments are edited and condensed for clarity purposes. <\/p>\n On how tough a strike would be for MLB: <\/p>\n “The last thing baseball needs right now is a labor stoppage. The sport is arguably at its strongest point in at least a decade, and perhaps even the last 20 years, thanks in large part to the changes commissioner Rob Manfred has implemented to improve the game and grow fan interest. <\/p>\n “The challenge now is finding a way to ensure that growth benefits everyone, particularly players at the lower end of the pay scale. No league wants a system where the overwhelming majority of revenue flows to a small percentage of players. A healthy union should strive to raise the floor while still allowing elite talent to earn what the market dictates. <\/p>\n “The concern is that both owners and players appear more entrenched in their positions than ever before, making the risk of a work stoppage very real. And unlike previous labor disputes, the consequences could be far more severe. In 1994, fans had fewer entertainment alternatives competing for their attention. Today, consumers have endless options across streaming, sports, gaming, and digital media. If baseball loses momentum because of a strike or lockout, there’s no guarantee those fans will come back.” <\/p>\n On what he looks for in a founder when investing: <\/p>\n “I look [for] someone like Derek Jeter. Someone who’s a winner, someone who’s coachable, someone who is ambitious, that has a big, big vision, incredible work ethic. Someone who’s humble enough that he’s also able to listen to a great team around him.” <\/p>\n On the NY Knicks winning the NBA championship: <\/p>\n “Yeah, I think Jim Dolan got too much of a bad rap. I think he’s a great guy. I sit next to him in the board meetings. He’s always been fantastic with me. He loves the Knicks, he loves New York, and I’m glad that he’s getting his flowers, because it starts with him, right?” <\/p>\n Brian Sozzi<\/a> is Yahoo Finance’s Executive Editor and a member of Yahoo Finance’s editorial leadership team. Follow Sozzi on X @BrianSozzi<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, and LinkedIn<\/a>. Tips on stories? Email brian.sozzi@yahoofinance.com. <\/p>\n Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices<\/a> <\/p>\n Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance<\/a> <\/p>\n <\/a> Minnesota Timberwolves owner Alex Rodriguez watches the action against the Detroit Pistons in the first half at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on April 2, 2026. (Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images) \u00b7 IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect \/ REUTERS <\/p>\n