Minnesota has several popular professional sports teams spanning all four major North American professional sports leagues.
Founded as an NBA expansion team in 1989, the Timberwolves didn’t actually break ground until 1995. Kevin Garnett did not go with the fifth overall pick in the NBA draft. He built the team into contenders and led them to the Western Conference Finals in 2004 before being traded to the Boston Celtics in 2007.
After making just one playoff appearance between 2005 and 2021, Minnesota has re-emerged as a contender in the 2020s thanks to young superstar Anthony Edwards.
Founded in 1901 as the Washington Senators, the Twins moved to Minnesota when the American League expanded in 1961. They have had several periods of sustained success, winning three World Series in the 20th century and making the playoffs frequently in the 21st century.
Minnesota went 19 years without winning a postseason game, losing a record 18 straight before finally snapping the streak in the 2023 ALDS.
The Vikings debuted in 1961 and enter the 2024 NFL season with a 523–435–11 all-time record, the best record of any NFL team that has never won a Super Bowl. They also have the most division titles of any team to never win a Super Bowl.
Minnesota has come agonizingly close to the championship numerous times, losing all four of its Super Bowl appearances. The Vikings haven’t made the Big Game since the 1976 season, but have made the playoffs frequently since then.
The Wild debuted in 2000, having been founded as an expansion team in 1997 in response to the Minnesota North Stars leaving for Dallas in 1993.
The Wild have made the playoffs consistently, but have yet to appear in the Stanley Cup Final. Their lone division championship came in 2007-08, and they had one player retire in their history (Mikko Koivu, #9).
Founded in 1999, the Lynx are owned by Glenn Taylor, who is also the majority owner of the Timberwolves. The Lynx have been one of the best teams in the WNBA, winning four championships and one Commissioner’s Cup (2024).
United began as an NASL team before joining Major League Soccer in 2017. They have made the playoffs in four of their seven seasons and play their home games at Allianz Field, a dedicated soccer stadium in St. Paul.