Mark Walter Acquires Control of Lakers in Historic $10 Billion Deal
Los Angeles, June 20, 2025
Summary
The Buss family sold control of the Lakers to Mark Walter for $10 billion, marking the largest transaction in American sports history. Walter plans to invest aggressively in the squad and infrastructure.
The Buss family, which has controlled the Los Angeles Lakers since 1979, has agreed to sell the majority of the franchise to billionaire Mark Walter, owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and shareholder of Chelsea FC, in a deal valued at $10 billion – the largest transaction in the history of American sports.
🏀 The deal in detail
Total Value
Buss Stake
Total value: US$ 10 billion, far exceeding the previous record of US$ 6.1 billion for the sale of the Boston Celtics.
New controller: Mark Walter, CEO of Guggenheim Partners and TWG Global, assumes the majority of the shares, after already holding about 27% of the franchise.
Remaining participation of the Buss: The family will retain about 15%, with Jeanie Buss continuing as "governor" of the team.
NBA approval: The transaction still needs to be ratified by the Board of Governors, but approval is expected without major resistance.
Profile of the new owner
Mark Walter (net worth ~US$ 6.1 billion) is CEO of Guggenheim Partners and TWG Global, with a prominent stake in the Dodgers, European football Queens (Chelsea FC), WNBA (Los Angeles Sparks), and Formula 1 team (Cadillac).
Recognized for injecting heavy capital and delegating management to qualified professionals, replicating successful strategies with the Dodgers and Chelsea.
Historical context and impact
Lakers: one of the most successful teams in the NBA, with 17 titles, second only to the Boston Celtics.
Buss Family: assumed control with Jerry Buss in 1979 (buying for US$ 67.5 million) and remained a reference in sports for more than four decades.
New market assessment: Valuation driven by media revenue and new digital arenas – the current value of US$ 10 billion confirms institutional interest in elite sports.
What to expect with the new management model
- Aggressive investment in squad, infrastructure and globalization of the brand.
- Administrative continuity under Jeanie Buss, ensuring stability for players like LeBron James and Luka Dončić, recently acquired in a remarkable trade with Dallas Mavericks.
- Sports synergies: integration of operations with Dodgers, Sparks and future infrastructure projects in Los Angeles.
- Institutional ownership model: reflects the global trend of consolidating sports assets into portfolios of consortia with professional governance.
Market voices
Magic Johnson, Co-owner of the Dodgers"Mark Walter is driven by victory, excellence and doing everything the right way... He will put the necessary resources to win!"
Financial analysts assess that, even with the decline in traditional TV revenue, fan loyalty and digital expansion ensure that the Lakers remain a robust asset in the sports economy.
Conclusion
The sale of the Lakers for US$ 10 billion marks a new era: from the hands of the legendary Buss family to a modern institutional management led by Mark Walter. With a combination of heavy investment, sports expertise and long-term vision, the future of the franchise promises to be as great as its history. Keep an eye out: the next Lakers revolution is just beginning.
To remember
The acquisition of the Lakers by Mark Walter represents a new chapter, combining tradition with a management focused on investment and innovation. The future of the franchise promises to be exciting.
