1st Tuesday Recap: Alex Rodriguez and Matt Caldwell

Alex Rodriguez, co-owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, and Matt Caldwell, the teams’ CEO, discussed career transitions, community, customer experience and more at Minnesota Carlson’s 1st Tuesday in February.

In conversation with Minnesota Public Radio’s Chris Farrell, Rodriguez and Caldwell expressed a passion for their business and for Minnesota.

“First of all, we’re not a small market. I take that very personally,” Rodriguez said. “I’m very protective of Minnesota and Minneapolis. We’re a middle-market to upper-market. We have over 15 Fortune 500 companies. You have a rabid fan base if you’re from Minnesota. … People love Minnesota. It is part of the DNA.”

He and Caldwell said they’re committed to giving every fan a premium experience when they attend a Timberwolves or Lynx game. Caldwell described the teams’ new ticketing system, Jump, and a new lighting system that focuses more on the court. And Rodriguez added that he personally ensured the women’s bathrooms at Target Center have hooks for purses and coats. “There’s no problem that’s too small. Every fan is important,” Rodriguez said.

To that end, both said they’re eager to eventually bring a new arena to their fans. “Back in the day, it was really a vanity or a luxury to have. Today it’s a necessity, and it’s a necessity to compete,” Rodriguez said.

Beyond sharing about their experiences with the Timberwolves and Lynx, Rodriguez and Caldwell shared about their career journeys. Rodriguez got into business after his all-star Major League Baseball career, and Caldwell served in the military and worked on Wall Street before becoming a sports executive.

“At the end of the day, [it’s about] the teamwork that’s involved, the trust, the culture, the high level of excellence,” Caldwell said. “You can learn the technical part of the craft if you work really hard and there’s growing pains, but there’s also a lot of foundational things that go between all those different industries.”

When asked about what advice they’d give to Minnesota Carlson students, Caldwell suggested to stay present and work hard on the task at hand. “The best you are at your current job, promotions and opportunities are going to come up for you,” he said.

Rodriguez advised students and young professionals to cultivate strong relationships with mentors and to invest in their own learning. “Your primary goal is to learn and get experience from great people,” he said. “Who is the mentor that’s going to teach you, coach you, be honest with you, be loving with you, sponsor you? … You are your greatest investment. So, put in that time. I always say to young people, if you work on your job, you’re going to do really well. If you’re working on yourself, you’re going to do great, great things, and that’s much better.”

1st Tuesday returns in April with Bob Frenzel, CEO of Xcel Energy. For more details, see the registration information.