It started like any other Lakers game night fans dressed in gold and purple, scrolling through X while sipping beers at Crypto.com Arena. But this time, they weren’t talking about alley-oops or Luka Dončić’s latest clutch shot. Instead, the buzz was electric: the Los Angeles Lakers had been sold and not just for any price. The deal? A staggering $10 billion, smashing all previous records for a sports franchise in U.S. history.
“When the Celtics sold for $6 billion, I knew the Lakers were worth $10B!”
Lakers legend Magic Johnson posted on X, summing up the shock and pride felt across the fanbase.
On June 19, 2025, reputable outlets including CBS News, ESPN, and the Wall Street Journal confirmed that the Buss family had sold a majority stake in the Lakers to Mark Walter, CEO of Guggenheim Partners and owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Walter, already a minority stakeholder in the team since 2021, now steps in as the majority owner through his firm TWG Global.
The deal also makes room for continuity: Jeanie Buss, who led the sale, will remain governor, and the Buss family will retain approximately 15% ownership.
“This next chapter will honor our family’s legacy while pushing the Lakers toward even greater heights,”
said Jeanie in a press statement.
The Lakers aren’t just a basketball team they’re a global brand. With 11 NBA titles under the Buss family’s leadership, household-name stars from Magic Johnson to Kobe Bryant to Luka Dončić, and courtside glamour that merges Hollywood with hardwood, the Lakers have long stood at the intersection of sport and culture.
The price tag reflects that power. Analysts point to the NBA’s recent $77 billion media rights deal and the Lakers’ own $3 billion Spectrum TV deal as major drivers of value. The team was valued at $7.1 billion in 2024 now it’s officially worth $10 billion, a 233% rise since its $3 billion valuation in 2019.
Adding to the buzz, the Lakers’ acquisition of Luka Dončić in 2024 supercharged marketability. Luka himself welcomed the new era, stating,
“I’m excited about what this means for the team and for Jeanie staying on. We’re just getting started.”
Mark Walter is no stranger to big plays off the court. He bought the Dodgers for $2 billion in 2012 and signed Shohei Ohtani for $700 million in 2023. He also holds stakes in Chelsea FC, the WNBA’s Sparks, and a Formula 1 team.
This Lakers acquisition is the crown jewel in Walter’s growing sports empire and perhaps the most symbolic. For American readers, his investment success with the Dodgers is a good sign. For UK and Aussie fans, his Chelsea involvement suggests he knows global sports.
But Walter’s approach contrasts with the Buss family’s emotional stewardship. Some fans on X worry the shift to a more “investment-centric” model might alter team culture. Still, others argue fresh capital could boost competitiveness.
“Walter’s deep pockets and sports IQ could be the combo we need,”
one fan wrote.
As the NBA Board of Governors prepares to approve the deal likely at their next meeting in Las Vegas fans around the world are watching. With Jeanie Buss staying, Luka Dončić thriving, and Mark Walter investing, the Lakers are entering a new era of ambition.
But one question lingers in every fan’s heart: Can the Lakers win another ring and redefine greatness under new ownership?
