Minnesota teams, NBPA join calls for peace in wake of shootings – ESPN
NEW YORK — The Vikings, Wild, Timberwolves, Lynx, Twins and Minnesota United FC joined dozens of Minnesota-based companies that signed an open letter calling for state, local and federal officers to work together in the wake of tensions over two fatal shootings by federal agents in the state.
The shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good came amid a massive immigration enforcement operation that has spurred protests in Minnesota.
“With yesterday’s tragic news, we are calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions,” the open letter reads.
The letter joins other calls from across the sports world, including a statement Sunday by the National Basketball Players Association that said NBA players can “no longer remain silent.”
“Now more than ever, we must defend the right to freedom of speech and stand in solidarity with the people in Minnesota protesting and risking their lives to demand justice,” the NBPA statement read. “The fraternity of NBA players, like the United States itself, is a community enriched by its global citizens, and we refuse to let the flames of division threaten the civil liberties that are meant to protect us all.”
The NBPA also extended condolences to the families of Pretti and Good.
The NBA postponed Saturday’s game between the Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors in Minneapolis to Sunday, citing the growing unrest in the city following the Pretti’s shooting. Before the teams matched up Sunday for the makeup, Warriors coach Steve Kerr and Wolves counterpart Chris Finch called it a mutual decision to postpone the game.
Each also expanded on the unrest, with Finch calling Minnesota “my home,” something he said he takes great pride in, and Kerr sharing his thoughts on the current situation in the country.
“My concern as an American, we’re not perfect,” Kerr said before Golden State’s 111-85 win. “We never have been. But I think our ideals have been in the right place a long time, our values. No matter what side of the aisle you stand on, I think remembering the values that come with the constitution, that come with citizenship, the values of looking after each other, are so important right now because of the extremism we can feel.”
After the blowout win, Kerr called it “one of the most bizarre, sad games” he ever had been a part of.
“You could feel in the somber atmosphere, their team, we could tell, they were struggling with everything going on and what the city has been through,” he said. “It was sad, a sad night. We got the win, are happy about that, but it’s difficult to see so many people struggling. They came to the game to try to forget about stuff, I guess, but I don’t think anything went away for the city or their team. They were suffering.”
Warriors star Stephen Curry said he was “glued to the TV” on Saturday and called for a more peaceful environment to be established.
“I got videos of my phone [of the protests],” Curry said after the game. “It was like three straight hours in negative-10 degree weather. It was beautiful to see that turnout and speaks to how important people felt it was to have their voice heard. They were out and it was amazing to watch.”
Two-time WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart also spoke out about the shootings, holding up an “Abolish ICE” sign during player introductions at Unrivaled on Sunday afternoon. And New York Knicks star big man Karl-Anthony Towns, who spent the first nine years of his career playing for the Timberwolves, took to social media to express his support for that community, saying he stands “with the people of Minnesota.”
What is happening in the Twin Cities and the Great North Star State is heartbreaking to witness. These events have cost lives and shaken families – and we must call for accountability, transparency, and protections for all people. This moment demands that we reflect honestly on…
— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) January 26, 2026
CEOs who signed Sunday’s open letter included 3M’s William Brown, Best Buy’s Corie Barry, General Mills’ Jeff Harmening, Target incoming CEO Michael Fiddelke and UnitedHealth Group’s Stephen Helmsley.
Before the letter, most of the biggest Minnesota-based companies had not issued any public statements about the enforcement surge and unrest.
But the issue has become more difficult to avoid. Over the past two weeks protesters have targeted businesses they see not taking a strong enough stand against federal law enforcement activity, including Minneapolis-based Target. Earlier in January, a Minnesota hotel that wouldn’t allow federal immigration agents to stay there apologized and said the refusal violated its own policies after a furor online.
Meanwhile, the state of Minnesota and the Twin Cities cited devastating economic impacts in a lawsuit filed this month imploring a federal judge to halt the immigration operations. The lawsuit asserted that some businesses have reported sales drops up to 80%.
“In this difficult moment for our community, we call for peace and focused cooperation among local, state and federal leaders to achieve a swift and durable solution that enables families, businesses, our employees, and communities across Minnesota to resume our work to build a bright and prosperous future,” the letter reads.
ESPN’s Anthony Slater and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
