Raise your hands if you knew the Los Angeles Lakers were going to be sold this summer. Unless your name is Shams Charania, drop those hands down to the ground immediately.
Charania reported, "The Buss family is entering an agreement to sell majority ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers to Mark Walter, the CEO and chairman of diversified holding company TWG Global, sources tell ESPN. Jeanie Buss will continue to serve in her role as Governor after the sale."
Walter has been a minority stakeholder in the Lakers since 2021 and has interests in multiple professional sports organizations, including the LA Dodgers, WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, the Billie Jean Cup, Cadillac Formula 1 team and the Professional Women's Hockey League. https://t.co/mgZkxcdXnp
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 18, 2025
Charania offered more background information on who Walter is, for those unfamiliar, explaining his ties to several sports ventures. The one that will undoubtedly stand out is the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The NBA insider also filled everyone in as to the price tag of the sale. Walter acquired his majority stake in ownership for a whopping $10 billion. That willingness to spend should be one of several reasons for Lakers fans to be excited about this development.
New ownership brings plenty of excitement to Lakers fans everywhere
Noah Camras did an excellent job on Twitter/X highlighting the type of success that Walter has enjoyed with the Dodgers since buying the team in 2012. The circumstances of how to best position yourself for success are much different in MLB. Nonetheless, the results are wowing.
The Dodgers have made the postseason in each of the seasons since Walter bought the team. During that time, they have won the NL West 11 times (out of a possible 12), have four World Series appearances, and two World Series wins.
The aggressiveness to compete and thrive that Jerry Buss showcased when he bought the team in 1979 is something Lakers fans will hope arises in Walter and his group as well. Daniel Starkand explained why there is hope of that coming to be.
Mark Walter and his group run the Dodgers exactly how you would want any team run.
-Hire smart people and trust them to do their jobs
-Treat players and their families right
-Spend money
This is a monumental day for the Lakers and NBA as a whole. https://t.co/s6TOV3KXo2
— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) June 18, 2025
The financial restrictions of the second apron in the NBA have made the days of 'buying' a championship much more difficult than in the past. Lakers fans will have to temper some expectations in that regard.
However, the idea that Walter will install the necessary people in the organization to position the Lakers to thrive with their new superstar, Luka Doncic, should be a point of optimism. Rob Pelinka, who just earned a new extension, will suddenly be put back under the spotlight.
That should be a good thing for the Lakers, who hope to rapidly return to championship contention. The time to pop bottles has not yet come in Los Angeles, unless you're Jeanie Buss. However, it suddenly feels within much closer proximity.