For Alex Rodriguez, the former Yankees slugger, this month kicked off with a bang—celebrating birthdays! And is the reason for his late entry to the Olympics. He just turned 49 and is now only a year away from the big 5-0. A little birdie reported that A-Rod had a “huge birthday party with all the family—like 25 people deep.” And indeed, Instagram posts showed him blowing out candles surrounded by his friends and family at the French Riviera Club and restaurant Medusa.

Among the crowd were his daughters, Natasha and Ella, his brother Joe Dunand Sr., their mother Lourdes Rodriguez, and a lively mix of nieces and nephews. It was truly a family-filled celebration! But it seems like the birthday celebrations were not done just yet, so off he was after spending quality time in Cannes to go to Paris. Of course for the Olympics, but also to give the young basketball phenom whom he admires plenty – Antony Edwards a personal birthday shout-out.

Alex Rodriguez juggles the French Riviera Bash and Paris party for Ant!

After Alex Rodriguez had more than a gala time spending his time with his family, he had a pressing issue to attend to and it of course was another birthday! Jokes aside, this birthday he couldn’t miss, not because it was of one of his coveted players Antony Edwards. Moreover, he was just a short flight away from Cannes to Paris, so off he flew to Paris on Monday. Edward, who just turned 23, was throwing a rather grand party. In fact, A-Rod even thanked him for the invitation. He posted on Instagram, “Happy 23rd Birthday Ant Man!! Thanks for having me. Let’s get it tomorrow 🇺🇸!!” And Edwards replied with a, “Appreciate it my dawg” on that post. 

The Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard is in Paris because he is representing the USA men’s basketball team at the Olympics. He’s sharing the court with NBA legends like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, alongside rising stars like Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, and Devin Booker. Alex Rodriguez has always been vocal about his admiration of the young Edward. He even compared him to Michael Jordon and laid his great expectations on him.

He said, “We’re so lucky to have a guy like Anthony Edwards right here.” According to him, Edwards, being just in his early twenties, has a long way to go, and he still hasn’t reached his peak, but is stellar now. A-Rod admires the fact that Edwards is not just an avid learner but is someone who even applies that knowledge in order to play. This quality is what he believes cuts the great players out from the rest.

Ownership showdown drama!

While the Minnesota Timberwolves were battling it hard at the Western Conference Finals, another battle was ensuing, a battle of ownership. And the conflict between A-Rod, Marc Lore, and majority owner Glen Taylor didn’t seem to still find the light. It all started last year when Taylor who is the major holder of the team decided to sell 40% of his stakes however, that never reached the final line.

Glen Taylor then struck a deal to sell the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx to former baseball star Alex Rodriguez and tech entrepreneur Marc Lore for $1.5 billion. The Wolves and Lynx, released this statement: “Glen Taylor has reached an agreement with Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez regarding the sale and future ownership of the Timberwolves and Lynx. The transaction will close following league approval, beginning the transition of ownership and a new chapter of Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx basketball.”

However, Taylor said that a delay in payments resulted in the termination of the deal. Rodriguez and Lore mentioned that they submitted the paperwork to the league office, but they need 90 more days to pay the $1. 5 billion to complete the sale. Right now both parties are at odds with each other, the dispute went to mediation and so far no breakthrough hence is headed to arbitration. 

According to Star Tribune, the arbitration has now been moved to the end of the year. This means the conflict still won’t be resolved until the next season, which is something none among the three really want at this point.

For sure, A-Rod has plenty of things on his plate right now. However, it’s great that amidst the chaos he is all hands on deck supporting members of the team to do better, and taking a personal step during some of their life’s key moments, apart from the court. Do you agree that Antony Edwards can become as big as what A-Rod is betting him on to be? Let us know in the comments.