Timberwolves, Lynx tap former Penguins exec for CFO, COO

Dive Brief:

The NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx have appointed sports business veteran Michael Dillon as their new CFO and chief operating officer, the teams said Thursday.
Dillon most recently served as CFO of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins. His latest appointment became effective immediately.
“It's an incredible honor to step into this role at such an exciting moment, both on the court and in the business of sports,” he said in a LinkedIn post. “The Lynx have set the gold standard in the WNBA, and the Timberwolves are a team on the rise with real momentum.”

Dive Insight:

The CFO appointment is the latest in a series of management changes in the Timberwolves–Lynx organization within the past year.

The NBA Board of Governors approved the $1.5 billion sale of the teams to Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez in June 2025, following a multi-year process that included arbitration disputes between the buyers and former owner Glen Taylor.

In August 2025, the organization appointed Matthew Caldwell to become its CEO. He previously served as chief executive of the Florida Panthers.

The Timberwolves are valued at $3.6 billion, an increase from roughly $1.1 billion in 2016, while the Lynx are valued at about $320 million, according to Forbes estimates.

Dillon joins the franchise as the Timberwolves have emerged as a consistent Western Conference contender in recent years, while the Lynx are among the WNBA’s top teams.

Prior to serving as CFO of the Penguins, Dillon spent eight years with the Houston Astros, where he rose to vice president of business strategy and analytics. He also previously founded SimpleSeats.com, a sports ticketing platform.

Earlier in his career, Dillon was a consultant at Bain & Company, advising clients on growth strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate strategy across industries.

“Mike’s arrival comes at a pivotal time for our organization as we continue to elevate our operations and build for sustained success,” Caldwell said in a statement. “He is a dynamic, forward-thinking executive whose breadth of experience and strategic mindset will strengthen our leadership team and help position us for the future.”

In his new role, Dillon will oversee accounting and finance, facilities, information technology, business strategy and analytics, the release said.