Alex Rodriguez Breaks Silence on His $3.1 Billion NBA Team Beating LeBron James’ Lakers at Home

In a twist worthy of the ninth inning, a former shortstop known for homers and headlines just scored big on hardwood, not home plate. While LeBron James held court in his own house, Alex Rodriguez, bat long retired but business booming, watched his squad steal the show. It wasn’t a walk-off, but it sure felt like A-Rod just hit one deep into Chavez Ravine—only this time, he brought a basketball.

Although the Minnesota Timberwolves lost game 2 of the series, their game 1 was an absolute spectacle. They dominated the LA Lakers and LeBron James and took game 1 home. During a podcast on the Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly, Rodriguez was asked about the atmosphere at the Crypto Arena. He said that it was electric and iconic to be there.

He was also asked to compare this atmosphere to the Yankee Stadium Atmosphere. A-Rod said, “That’s actually a great comparison. I would say the old Yankee Stadium even more. Because it was such a crazy atmosphere, but the difference is Jason is on that side, I am used to wearing pinstripes. So that was very comforting. On this side, I was an opponent.”

Being a player is very different from being an owner of a team. While A-Rod experienced some of the best moments as a player with the Yankees, his experience with the Timberwolves is actually quite similar. He says that the Lakers fans have an edge, and they have earned it, and that makes them one of the greatest bunches.

But when compared to the fans of the New York Yankees, it is a bit different. The Yankees fans are full of raw emotion and don’t shy away from giving their opinions. The Roll Call chants, heckling opponents, and that no-nonsense Bronx attitude gave it a raw, unmatched edge. This feels like you are in a tribe.

That tribal energy, it turns out, doesn’t quite translate to courtside cocktails and celebrity sightings. Alex Rodriguez may now sit in the owner’s suite instead of the batter’s box, but he still knows a raucous crowd when he hears one. And while Lakers fans bring the glitz, Yankees fans bring the growl. One swings bats, the other swings billion-dollar deals—but both know what it means to play in the big leagues.

Alex Rodriguez steals game 1—and maybe the whole arena

He may no longer be rounding bases, but Alex Rodriguez still knows how to slide into enemy territory and walk off with the win. With a smirk that said “business is booming,” the former Yankees slugger found himself basking in the spotlight—this time not in pinstripes, but in power suits. From MVP to M&A, A-Rod is proving that stealing headlines is still very much a skill set.

Alex Rodriguez was front and center at Crypto.com Arena for Game 1 of the Timberwolves vs. Lakers playoff series. Despite sitting amid a sea of disappointed Lakers fans, Rodriguez was all smiles as his Timberwolves, co-owned with Marc Lore, pulled off a stunning 117-95 victory. The win handed the No. 6-seeded Timberwolves a 1-0 lead in the series, making A-Rod’s courtside experience all the sweeter.

Rodriguez wasn’t alone in Los Angeles. He was seen with his girlfriend, fitness coach Jaclyn Cordeiro, whom he has been dating since December 2022. The couple enjoyed the win together while the basketball world watched.

This victory comes after Rodriguez and Lore finalized their $1.5 billion purchase of the Timberwolves and WNBA’s Lynx in 2021, overcoming a dispute with current owner Glen Taylor. With full ownership now secured, Rodriguez is also getting personal wins, crediting Cordeiro for helping him lose over 30 pounds. As the Timberwolves prepare for Game 2, they look to build on their playoff success and take a commanding 2-0 lead.

As the Timberwolves eye a 2-0 lead, Rodriguez’s off-court success is only growing, just like his stake in the team. While he’s no longer hitting homers, A-Rod’s still making game-winning plays, whether it’s in the boardroom or the arena. If his first playoff win is any indication, he might just prove that in sports, as in life, some things never go out of style—like a good power suit and a well-timed victory.