Alex Rodriguez appreciates a business-minded athlete.<\/p>\n
The Yankees great \u2014 who made the jump from MLB superstar to CEO of A-Rod Corp., and now co-owner of the NBA\u2019s Timberwolves and the WNBA\u2019s Lynx \u2014 heaped praise on Lynx veteran Napheesa Collier for building a business empire while in the prime of her career.<\/p>\n
\u201cNapheesa is an incredible example and role model for other athletes, both men and women, that you can take something in sports and not take your eye o\ufb00 the ball, but yet build something really equally as special on the business side,\u201d Rodgriguez told The Post while speaking on behalf of his partnership with Lysol<\/a>. \u201cSo, hats o\ufb00 to her.\u201d<\/p>\n The Timberwolves introduce Marc Lore (L) and Alex Rodriguez as the new owners during a Press Conference at the 2025 NBA Summer League game on July 10, 2025 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n Collier, a five-time WNBA All-Star and 2024 Euroleague Champion, and the Liberty\u2019s Breanna Stewart founded Unrivaled, which is a 3v3 professional women\u2019s basketball league that plays in Miami during the WNBA offseason \u2014 offering the highest average salaries in women\u2019s sports history, equity in the league, top-tier amenities, housing and childcare. <\/p>\n Collier, who is averaging 23.5 points and 7.7 assists, is in the conversation for MVP after being a runner-up last season to Aces star A\u2019ja Wilson, who won her third career MVP award.<\/p>\n The NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale of the controlling interest in the Timberwolves and Lynx to Rodriguez and Marc Lore last month following four years as limited partners. <\/p>\n The 2009 World Series champion said he\u2019s using knowledge passed down to him by former Yankees owner, George Steinbrenner, who died in 2010.<\/p>\n Napheesa Collier (24) celebrates a basket against the Las Vegas Aces in the second quarter at Target Center on July 25, 2025. Brad Rempel-Imagn Images<\/p>\n \u201cI gotta tell you, I played for almost 25 years in the major leagues and to be able to take some of my practices that I\u2019ve learned from the life of George Steinbrenner, who was a great boss and an incredible role model,\u201d Rodriguez said. \u201cHe expected only the best, so I was able to learn from the best in the business, that was great.<\/p>\n \u201cOver the last four years [as a limited partner], I\u2019ve done an incredible amount of listening and learning and studying \u2026 and we have so many incredible governors in our game. We have an amazing commissioner Adam Silver, who said, \u2018I want you to do a lot of listening, not a lot of talking and just be a student and learn from some of the great partners.’\u201d<\/p>\n Timberwolves owners Marc Lore (L) and Alex Rodriguez pose with Minnesota star Anthony Edwards at a press conference at NBA Summer League on July 10, 2025 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n The Timberwolves\u2019 season ended in a Game 5 loss to the Thunder in the Western Conference finals \u2014 the second straight year Minnesota fell one round short of its first trip to the NBA Finals.<\/p>\n With the second half of the WNBA season underway, the league-leading Lynx (22-5) are poised for a second consecutive trip to the Finals after falling to the Liberty last season.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m really proud,\u201d said Rodriguez, a 14-time MLB All-Star. \u201cThe last two years for the Timberwolves, we\u2019ve been in the final four of 30 teams. And the Lynx, last year were the final two, came down to the wire, we lost to the Liberty.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd this year, we were o\ufb00 to a hot start with the Lynx. It\u2019s an exciting time. Folks in Minnesota have been very supportive and it\u2019s an incredible sports town.\u201d<\/p>\n Alex Rodriguez and girlfriend Jaclyn Cordiero attend Game 4 between the Lakers-Timberwolves during the 2025 playoffs. NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n Rodriguez was also complimentary of Nets owners Clara and Joe Tsai, who bought the Liberty from James Dolan for a reported $10 to $14 million in 2019. <\/p>\n The Liberty\u2019s valuation is on track to increase to $450 million after the installation of the team\u2019s new $80 million practice facility in Greenpoint. <\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s a powerhouse,\u201d Rodriguez said of Clara. \u201cI really have a lot of respect and admiration for Clara Tsai and Joe, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n Alex Rodriguez (middle) praises Lynx star Napheesa Collier for her efforts in creating the Unrivaled league while on a panel with Candace Parker (L) and Scott Galloway (R) at Sport Beach by Stagwell during Cannes Lions in June 2025. Ella Pellegrini<\/p>\n The Lynx face the Liberty (17-8) in Minnesota on Wednesday.<\/p>\n Rodriguez understands that he can impact the local community, including youth sports. <\/p>\n Alex Rodriguez celebrates his 50th birthday with his girlfriend Jaclyn Cordeiro in Italy on July 27, 2025. Instagram\/ Jaclyn Cordeiro <\/p>\n The father of two recently celebrated his 50th birthday during a European vacation with his two daughters,\u00a0Natasha, 20, and Ella, 17, and his girlfriend, fitness entrepreneur Jaclyn Cordeiro<\/a>.<\/p>\n