It’s the year 1979. Jerry Buss, the visionary real estate magnate with the mustache and the comprehensive plan, is standing courtside at The Forum in Inglewood. With a $67.5 million transaction on the Lakers, NHL’s Kings, and the whole arena to his name, Buss becomes the owner outright. It was the largest sports acquisition of its time, and yet, no one could have imagined what would come next: Showtime. Magic. Kobe. Shaq. Eleven NBA championships. A global empire.
Now, 46 years later, that era has officially ended. On June 18, 2025, the Buss family announced the sale of the Los Angeles Lakers’ majority stake to Mark Walter, CEO of Guggenheim Partners and co-owner of the Dodgers, for a staggering $10 billion a new record for any professional sports franchise, surpassing even the Boston Celtics’ $6.1 billion sale just months earlier.
So, what does selling an NBA dynasty mean for its future?
When Jerry Buss closed that $67.5 million deal in 1979, the Lakers were just another basketball team. Under his leadership, they became basketball royalty, winning 10 championships before his death in 2013. His children inherited the franchise through a family trust, and Jeanie Buss, his daughter, stepped into the spotlight as the team’s governor (NBA’s official representative).
Now, after years of navigating both championships and sibling boardroom battles, Jeanie has ushered in a bold new chapter: the Buss family will retain just over 15% ownership, while she remains as governor, continuing to lead the team day-to-day.
Mark Walter, who had already acquired a 26% stake in 2021 at a $5 billion valuation, had first refusal rights a contractual clause that positioned him as the most logical successor. He’s no stranger to winning: under his stewardship, the Los Angeles Dodgers claimed two World Series titles, and his sports portfolio includes Chelsea FC, the LA Sparks, and Cadillac’s Formula 1 team.
From a $67.5M investment to a $10B valuation this move reflects a 14,710% return. For perspective, the Dallas Mavericks sold for $3.5B and the Phoenix Suns for $4B. But none of those teams wear the crown the Lakers do.
The NBA recently signed an $77 billion media rights deal, injecting fresh capital into teams like never before. Combined with L.A.’s market power, global merchandising, massive sponsorship deals, and the Lakers’ star-studded legacy, the franchise became a titan of sports business.
And there’s more. Lakers pulled off a blockbuster trade for Luka Dončić in February 2025, signaling they’re not just about history they’re building a future.
Walter’s resume only strengthens that outlook.
“Mark Walter is the best caretaker of the Laker brand,”
said Magic Johnson, Lakers legend and part-owner of the Dodgers.
“He’s driven by winning, excellence, and doing everything the right way.”
While some fans expressed sorrow on social media search #LakersLegacy on X for emotional farewells others are hopeful. Jeanie staying on means a thread of the past still ties the future.
This deal also confirms a broader trend: sports franchises, especially in North America, are reaching record valuations. Analysts suggest this may be a market peak or the beginning of a new era where entertainment, media, and tech converge in pro sports.
In a heartfelt post-sale statement, Jeanie Buss said,
“This isn’t goodbye it’s the next chapter. My father built something beautiful, and I’m proud to help guide it forward with the right partner by our side.”
So the question remains: Will the Lakers shine as brightly under new ownership?
