Top Minnesota sports stories to watch in 2024
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Suni Lee competes in the balance beam on day four of the 2023 U.S. Gymnastics Championships at SAP Center in August. Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
2023 was a big year in Minnesota sports, as the Vikings, Wild, Twins, Lynx, and Timberwolves all made it to their respective playoffs.
State of play: Fans are hopeful for more success in 2024. Here's what we're watching this year.
More stadium subsidy requests
As Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore prepare to take over as majority owners of the Timberwolves, they've made it clear they want a new arena. What's not clear is if — and how much — they'll ask for in terms of public subsidies.
- Recent new NBA arenas have cost north of $1 billion.
Meanwhile, the Wild are seeking state aid for as much as $300 million for Xcel Energy Center improvements while U.S. Bank Stadium officials say the home of the Vikings needs $280 million in maintenance.
Suni Lee goes for gold, again
Suni Lee's gymnastics career was sidetracked by a kidney illness in April, but the St. Paul native is hoping to get another Olympic gold medal in Paris this summer.
- Yes, but: First she needs to qualify at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, which will be held on her home turf in late June at Target Center.
Other names to watch: Lakeville swimmer Regan Smith and Apple Valley wrestler Gable Steveson, both medalists in Tokyo, are eyeing a trip to Paris.
The Vikings quarterback question
After six seasons with the Vikings, Kirk Cousins is set to become a free agent in March.
State of play: The 35-year-old is recovering from an Achilles tendon tear. Now the team has to decide if it will continue paying big bucks for an aging quarterback coming off a major injury.
The intrigue: With a draft pick likely in the middle of the first round, the Vikings could begin a new era with a rookie quarterback for the first time since 2014.
The Wolves title chances
With a Western Conference-best record of 24-8, the Timberwolves appear capable of making a deep run in the NBA playoffs for the first time in nearly 20 years.
- The odds in Las Vegas for a Minnesota championship are now 18-1, up from 66-1 before the season began.
The Wild ride continues
The Wild are in a weird place. The team fired its head coach after a disastrous season-opening slump. But under new bench boss John Hynes, they have pulled themselves back into contention for an NHL playoff spot.
- Optimists say Minnesota is winning despite key injuries to their defensive core, thanks in part to promising rookie defenseman — and Maple Grove native — Brock Faber.
- Pessimists say that even if the Wild wanted to upgrade at the March trade deadline they don't have the money since they're paying huge salary cap penalties this season and next for buying out two former stars.