Lakers Sold: $10B Deal & NBA Draft Prospects
The Los Angeles Lakers have a new majority owner, Mark Walter, and the deal is massive.The Buss family sold their majority stake for a record-breaking $10 billion, shaking up the NBA landscape. Walter, already the owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, plans to bring his winning formula to the Lakers, hinting at increased investment and a potential shift in strategy. This landmark Lakers sale could reshape their path, while also possibly impacting NBA draft prospects. News Directory 3 dives deep into what this means for the future of the franchise,from on the court performance. With Jeanie Buss staying on as governor, what strategic changes will the new ownership implement? Discover what’s next …
Lakers Sold to Dodgers Owner Mark Walter for $10 Billion
Updated June 20, 2025
The Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most iconic franchises in sports, are under new majority ownership. The Buss family has agreed to sell its majority stake in the Lakers to Mark Walter, owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. the sale values the franchise at a staggering $10 billion, making it the most expensive U.S. sports team sale in history.
The Buss family trust, comprising all six Buss siblings, held 66% of the team. They have owned the lakers since 1979, when Dr. Jerry Buss acquired the team. Following Jerry Buss’s passing in 2013, his daughter Jeanie Buss has served as the team’s governor and will continue in that role under the new ownership.
Under the Buss family’s stewardship, the Lakers secured 11 NBA championships.Magic Johnson expressed his congratulations to both Jeanie Buss and Mark walter on social media following the proclamation.
the previous record for the most expensive U.S. sports franchise sale belonged to the Boston celtics, who were sold to Bill Chisholm for $6.1 billion in March. Walter, who has been a minority investor in the Lakers since 2021, purchased the Dodgers in 2012. Since then, the Dodgers have achieved remarkable success, winning more games than any othre team, securing two World Series titles, and investing heavily in star players like Shohei Ohtani.
This last point is particularly significant. According to Sam Quinn, the Lakers, despite their rich history and tradition, have not been among the league’s biggest spenders in recent years, a strategy that has impacted their performance on the court.
R.J. Anderson highlighted how Walter transformed the Dodgers into a powerhouse by investing considerably, making smart hires, embracing innovation, and, importantly, staying out of the way.
“[Walter’s] going to put the right people in place to lead this team into the future. that’s no guarantee of anything,of course,but it’s a good sign for Dončić’s hopes of competing for titles in Los Angeles…. Pelinka’s performance in the 2025 offseason is now paramount.If he can put a championship-level team around Dončić and LeBron James, his job is likely safe. But if this season goes poorly, without the security of the Buss family’s ownership, his seat could start getting very warm very quickly.” – Sam Quinn, CBS Sports
What’s next
The acquisition of the Lakers by Mark Walter signals a potential shift in the team’s approach, with a greater emphasis on investment and innovation. This could have significant implications for the team’s future performance and its ability to compete for championships.