Glen Taylor
Glen Taylor | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 20, 1941 Springfield, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, politician, sports team owner |
| Years active | 1962–present |
| Known for | Founder of Taylor Corporation; former owner of Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx; owner of Star Tribune; former Minnesota state senator |
Glen Albert Taylor (born April 20, 1941) is a prominent American billionaire entrepreneur and ex-politician hailing from Minnesota. He is the founder and proprietor of Taylor Corporation, headquartered in Minnesota, which ranks among the largest graphic communications firms across North America.
From 1994 until 2025, Taylor held ownership of the Minnesota Timberwolves franchise in the National Basketball Association, as well as the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association between 1999 and 2025. Presently, he is a minority owner of Minnesota United FC, competing in Major League Soccer. Additionally, since 2014, Taylor has owned the Star Tribune, the leading newspaper in Minnesota.
Between 1981 and 1990, Taylor represented the Republican Party as a member of the Minnesota Senate. Although he contemplated a gubernatorial campaign in 1990, he ultimately withdrew for personal reasons. He continues to be a major financial supporter of Republican political campaigns.
Recognized as the wealthiest individual in Minnesota, Taylor is listed on the Forbes 400, with his company counted among the nation’s largest private enterprises. As of May 2025, his estimated net worth stands at approximately US$2.9 billion.
Early life and education
Born in Springfield, Minnesota, Taylor grew up on a farm near Comfrey, Minnesota. He graduated from Comfrey High School in 1959 before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics, physics, and social studies from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 1962. Later, in 1978, he completed an executive MBA program at Harvard Business School.
Career
During his college years, Taylor was employed at Carlson Wedding Service (which later became Carlson Craft), a print shop in Mankato focusing on formal invitations. In 1975, when Bill Carlson decided to retire, Taylor acquired the business for $2 million spread over 12 years but managed to pay off the balance early. This purchase laid the groundwork for what evolved into Taylor Corporation, a privately owned multinational printing enterprise employing nearly 10,000 people and based in North Mankato, Minnesota. Taylor continues to serve as chairman of the board.
Politics
Taylor held office as a Republican state senator in Minnesota from 1981 to 1990. During his tenure, he was assistant minority leader from 1983 to 1985 and minority leader between 1985 and 1988. Aligning with the moderate faction of his party, he stepped down in 1990 to concentrate on his business interests. Although he initially planned to run for governor that year, he withdrew for personal reasons. Since then, Taylor has remained engaged in Republican politics and contributed $119,100 to various candidates and causes between 2016 and 2020.
Sports team ownership
In 1994, Taylor became majority owner of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves by purchasing the team for around $94 million. Five years later, in 1999, he acquired ownership of the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx. Under his leadership, the Lynx secured four WNBA championships; however, the Timberwolves have yet to reach an NBA Finals appearance and experienced a playoff absence lasting fourteen seasons from 2004 through 2018.
Taylor faced a nine-month suspension in 2000 after signing Joe Smith to a clandestine contract that breached NBA salary cap regulations. Prior to Donald Sterling’s suspension in 2014, Taylor was unique among NBA owners for having been suspended for an extended period beyond just a few games.
In 2017, Taylor purchased the Iowa Energy franchise of the NBA Development League (later renamed the NBA G League) and rebranded it as the Iowa Wolves, establishing it as a developmental affiliate for the Timberwolves.
He also served two separate terms as chairman of the NBA board of governors: first from 2008 to 2012 and again from 2014 through 2017.
In 2021, Taylor agreed to sell both the Timberwolves and Lynx teams to Marc Lore, founder of Wonder Group and Jet.com, along with former baseball player Alex Rodriguez, for an estimated $1.5 billion. Upon completion of this transaction, Taylor would retain a twenty percent ownership stake in both franchises.
Furthermore, Taylor holds partial ownership in Minnesota United FC soccer club.
Newspaper ownership
In 2014, Taylor purchased the Star Tribune for approximately $100 million. He conveyed to MinnPost that under his leadership, the publication would take on a more moderate editorial perspective, highlighting that it had gradually moved closer to the center politically in prior years.