Breaking News: Jeanie Buss Sells Majority Lakers Holdings to Mark Walter in Historic $10 Billion Deal

Breaking News: Jeanie Buss Sells Majority Lakers Holdings to Mark Walter in Historic $10 Billion Deal

In a seismic shift for one of the NBA’s most storied franchises, Jeanie Buss has agreed to sell a majority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers to billionaire investor Mark Walter, valuing the team at an unprecedented $10 billion. According to multiple reports, the deal makes the Lakers the most expensive U.S. sports franchise ever, eclipsing the $6.1 billion sale of the Boston Celtics earlier this year and underscoring the skyrocketing valuations of elite professional teams . The transaction, still pending final approval from the NBA Board of Governors, is expected to close later in 2025.

Jeanie Buss, who has presided over Lakers operations since 2013 and whose family first acquired the franchise in 1979 under her father Dr. Jerry Buss, will retain a minority interest of just over 15% for the time being and is slated to continue as team governor for “at least a number of years,” per sources . This governance arrangement, reportedly guaranteed in the sale agreement, ensures continuity of leadership and preserves the Buss family’s legacy within the organization. Nevertheless, ultimate control will shift to Walter’s investment group upon closing.

A Legacy of Championship Excellence

Under the Buss family’s stewardship, the Lakers have secured 11 NBA championships, cementing their status as basketball royalty second only to the Boston Celtics, who boast 17 titles. From the Showtime era of the 1980s—helmed by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar—to the Shaq-Kobe dynasty of the early 2000s and the recent resurgence led by LeBron James, the Lakers have consistently been a marquee property in global sports . Beyond their on-court success, the Lakers’ brand has become synonymous with Hollywood glamour and cultural influence, driving lucrative television and sponsorship deals.

Jeanie Buss, known for her astute leadership and deep ties within the NBA community, oversaw the team’s revival in the post–Kobe Bryant era, culminating in the 2020 championship bubble triumph. Her tenure also included chairing the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks and investing in the Premier League’s Chelsea FC, reflecting a diversified sports portfolio that bolstered her reputation as a visionary executive .

Mark Walter: The New Custodian of Lake Show

Mark Walter, CEO and co-founder of Guggenheim Partners, rose to prominence in the sports world when he spearheaded the 2012 acquisition of the Los Angeles Dodgers. His group’s stewardship of baseball’s most valuable franchise—now worth over $4 billion—has been lauded for stable management and strategic investments in talent development and stadium enhancements . Walter’s Guggenheim-owned RW Sports and entertainment arm also holds stakes in Chelsea FC, the WNBA’s LA Sparks, and the Cadillac Formula 1 team, positioning him as a rare institutional owner with cross-sport expertise.

By securing majority control of the Lakers, Walter adds basketball’s crown jewel to his portfolio, potentially unlocking synergies across his sports holdings in Southern California. His financial firepower and track record for long-term investments suggest a commitment to sustained competitiveness, though some critics warn that consortium-style ownership can dilute accountability to fans compared to individual, family-run models .

Market Dynamics: Why $10 Billion?

The $10 billion valuation reflects not only the Lakers’ historic pedigree but also the shifting economics of professional sports. Media rights deals, international merchandising, and digital streaming partnerships have become the lifeblood of revenue growth, with leagues bundling content across platforms to command record fees from broadcasters and tech giants. In this context, teams like the Lakers—boasting a vast global fanbase and owned arenas in top markets—are insulated from local economic downturns and pandemic-related disruptions .

Moreover, scarce supply of premier franchises amplifies demand among ultra-wealthy investors seeking prestige assets. The previous record for an NBA team sale, the $6.1 billion Boston Celtics deal in March 2025, already represented a dramatic leap over the $4 billion Phoenix Suns transaction of 2022. With the Lakers now surpassing that mark by almost two-thirds, industry analysts predict further consolidation of top-tier teams under institutional ownership and private equity umbrellas .

Voices from the Basketball World

Reactions from within the Lakers community have been mixed but largely optimistic. Magic Johnson, a former Lakers legend and close confidant of Jeanie Buss, publicly endorsed the transaction on social media, praising Walter’s vision and track record: “She can comfortably pass the baton to Mark Walter, with whom she has a real friendship and can trust” . Star forward LeBron James, while yet to issue a formal statement, is expected to embrace the stability this deal may bring amid his quest to extend his storied legacy with Los Angeles.

On the business side, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver noted that the sale underscores the league’s robust financial health and attractiveness to global investors, adding that the Board of Governors will “diligently review” the transaction to ensure compliance with league standards and continued competitive balance .

Implications for Fans and the Organization

For season ticket holders and the broader Lakers faithful, the sale raises questions about potential shifts in spending priorities, ticket pricing, and community engagement. Institutional owners sometimes prioritize diversified revenue streams—such as real estate development around arenas—over traditional fan-centric initiatives. However, Walter’s public comments affirm a commitment to maintaining the Lakers’ Los Angeles roots and deepening local outreach programs in youth basketball and education .

Organizationally, the Lakers front office and basketball operations department may see new leadership hires and expanded analytics capabilities under Walter’s umbrella of Guggenheim-backed ventures, which already leverage data-driven decision-making in baseball and European soccer .

Looking Ahead: On-Court Aspirations

With LeBron James entering his 22nd NBA season and young star Anthony Davis still in his prime, the Lakers’ championship window remains open—provided the roster and coaching staff receive the necessary support. Speculation abounds about potential marquee acquisitions, including a possible reunion with Luka Doncic if trade dynamics align. Walter’s deep pockets could facilitate blockbuster trades or free‐agency splurges, though the constraints of the NBA’s salary cap and luxury tax threshold will temper blockbuster moves .

At the same time, long-term planning for post-LeBron succession is likely to accelerate. Investments in the Lakers’ developmental pipeline, G-League affiliate, and international scouting operations—areas where Guggenheim has excelled in baseball—could position the organization for sustained excellence beyond the current championship era .

Broader Trends: The Rise of Consortium Ownership

The Lakers sale epitomizes the growing prevalence of consortium and private equity models in professional sports. While solitary billionaire owners once dominated, the financial barriers to entry for top teams now encourage partnerships of institutional investors pooling resources. This evolution prompts debates over governance transparency, decision-making speed, and the stewardship of team heritage. Critics argue that faceless investment groups may lack passion for the sport, yet proponents highlight the benefits of diversified expertise and capital infusion .

The NBA’s own corporate structure, with its revenue‐sharing mechanisms and collective bargaining agreements, has facilitated such transitions by balancing competitive equity against market realities. As more teams command valuations in the multi-billion‐dollar range, league offices will increasingly grapple with aligning ownership diversity with stakeholder interests—from players and fans to sponsors and broadcasters .

Conclusion

Jeanie Buss’s decision to sell the majority of the Lakers to Mark Walter for over $10 billion marks the end of an era and the dawn of a new chapter for one of basketball’s most illustrious franchises. While the Buss family legacy and Jeanie’s continued governorship provide continuity, Walter’s institutional leadership promises robust financial backing, strategic innovation, and global synergy across his sports portfolio. As the NBA awaits final approval, fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see how this record-breaking transaction shapes the Lakers’ on-court ambitions, community engagement, and the broader landscape of professional sports ownership. In a world where franchise valuations continually ascend, the Lakers deal underscores both the immense cultural capital of storied teams and the evolving dynamics of sports as marquee investment assets.