Local businessman Marv Wolfenson, who along with partner Harvey Ratner brought the NBA back to Minnesota in 1987, died this morning in LaJolla, California, the team confirmed this morning.

He was 87.

Wolfenson and Ratner owned a series of Twin Cities health clubs and were the Timberwolves original owners when the NBA granted them and Minnesota an expansion franchise that began play in 1989.

The two men also were responsible for building Target Center.

They sold the team to Mankato businessman Glen Taylor in 1994.

Ratner died in 2006.

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