The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to sell a majority stake to TWG Global CEO Mark Walter, marking a $10 billion valuation—the largest transaction ever in U.S. professional sports. While the sale still awaits NBA approval and is expected to close in the third or fourth quarter of 2025, its ramifications are immediate and profound.
Deal Highlights & Financial Context
- Valuation: Approximately $10 billion—surpassing previous records and setting new benchmarks for sports franchise valuations .
- Closing timeline: Finalization anticipated late 2025, pending regulatory and league approvals.
- Stake retention: The Buss family will retain a minority share in the Lakers (roughly 15%) and maintain a governance role.
Leadership Transition & Roles
- Jeanie Buss, daughter of legendary owner Jerry Buss, will remain as team governor, overseeing day‑to‑day operations for the foreseeable future.
- Mark Walter, already a minority owner since 2021, is set to become the controlling owner, bringing extensive experience from TWG Global and his existing roles with the Dodgers and Sparks.
- Walter praised the Lakers as “one of the most iconic franchises in sports,” and committed to uphold what he described as the club’s “long‑term vision and elite status” alongside Buss’s leadership.
A Storied Legacy Meets New Ambitions
Founded in 1947 and acquired by Jerry Buss in 1979 for $67.5 million, the Lakers evolved into a global powerhouse known for their “Showtime” era, 11 NBA titles post-1980, and legends like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and LeBron James.
- The Buss family has maintained majority control for 46 years, making this deal a pivotal shift in the franchise’s history.
- By comparison, the Boston Celtics were sold earlier in 2025 for $6.1 billion—making the Lakers’ valuation nearly double.
What This Means for the Lakers
- Operational continuity: With Jeanie Buss retained as active governor, the organization avoids a disruptive leadership vacuum.
- Resource ramp-up: Walter brings proven experience in fan engagement and team-building—Demonstrated with his stewardship of the Dodgers and Sparks.
- Strategic synergy: This marks an emerging consolidation of Los Angeles sports teams under high-capital operators, suggesting potential cross-promotional and media opportunities.
Voices of Support
- Magic Johnson, a co-owner with Walter in the Dodgers, praised the deal, calling Walter “the best caretaker of the Laker brand” and emphasizing their shared values on winning and community.
- Jeanie Buss highlighted Walter’s alignment with the family’s values: “From the day our father purchased the Lakers… a team committed to winning – relentlessly – and to doing so with passion and with style.”.
Broader Market Impact
- The record $10 billion price redefines market dynamics in professional sports—far surpassing the Celtics sale and NFL franchise deals ($6 billion+).
- Walter’s growing portfolio—including baseball, basketball, and motorsports—reflects a trend toward diversified, investment-led ownership across leagues.
Summary & Outlook
The Lakers’ sale ushers in a new era: symbolic leadership continuity through Jeanie Buss, financial fortification and strategic depth via Mark Walter, and global momentum fueled by an unmatched valuation.
As the NBA awaits league approvals, attention now turns to how this ownership shift will translate into roster decisions, operational synergies, and long-term legacy ambitions. With Walter’s deep pockets and stewardship record, the Lakers appear poised for both stability and reinvention.