In a landmark move reported by Aphura and confirmed by multiple outlets on June 18, 2025, the Buss family has agreed to sell a majority ownership stake in the Los Angeles Lakers to Mark Walter, marking a historic $10 billion valuation, the highest ever for a U.S. professional sports franchise.
Walter, the CEO and chairman of TWG Global and co-owner of the LA Dodgers and Sparks, will assume operational control, while Jeanie Buss will continue to serve as team governor under the NBA’s governance guidelines. The Buss family will retain a 15% minority stake, maintaining a lasting connection to the franchise they’ve steered since 1979.
Walter’s relationship with the Lakers predates today’s transaction, he acquired a 20% minority interest in 2021 and had secured first-refusal rights for a majority stake. Beyond basketball, Walter hold significant sports investments: he owns baseball’s Dodgers, England’s Chelsea FC, WNBA’s Sparks, and Cadillac F1, along with auto-racing assets through TWG Motorsports.
The $10 billion Lakers valuation blows past the previous highest sale price, following the Boston Celtics’ $6.1 billion sale in March and the Commanders’ $6.05 billion just last year. This deal underscores the staggering financial growth of North American sports franchises and signals a shift toward mega-investors reshaping team legacies.
This transition of power comes at a pivotal moment for the Lakers, fresh off acquiring superstar Luka Doncic alongside LeBron James, an aggressive lineup build that hints at future ambitions. Walter’s track record with Dodgers, who secure World Series titles in 2020 and 2024, suggests potential for expanded investments in arenas, media innovation, and global branding.
Jeanie Buss praised Walter’s entry as a “new chapter of Lakers excellence,” emphasizing continuity and collective commitment to championship culture. Lakers legend Magic Johnson, who retains a stake welcomed Walter, citing his proven leadership in building winning franchises.
As this Mark Walter era begins, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how he leverages cross-sport synergies and deep-pocketed strategy to elevate no just Lakers basketball, but the Lakers as a global institution.
