Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, center, poses for a photo with owner and chairman Mark Walter, left, and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman applaud during a news conference at Dodger Stadium Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Share and Follow

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) For the first time in more than 45 years, a member of the Buss family will not be the majority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers.

According to multiple reports, the Buss family, led by the team’s primary caretaker Jeanie Buss, has agreed to sell the majority ownership stake in the team to the principal owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The family is doing so with a franchise valuation of $10 billion the most ever for a professional sports franchise a person with knowledge of the agreement told the Associated Press.

The new majority owner of the team will be Mark Walter, CEO of TWG Global, a conglomerate with various financial business interests, as well as ownership in several of the world’s most valuable sports franchises.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, center, poses for a photo with owner and chairman Mark Walter, left, and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman applaud during a news conference at Dodger Stadium Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani poses for a photo with owner and chairman Mark Walter, left, and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman at Dodger Stadium on Dec. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Walter had a minority ownership stake in the team for several years, but will now assume primary ownership of one of the world’s most recognizable and important sports brands.

Jeanie Buss will remain in her current role as the team’s governor, serving as the chief decision-maker for the time being, according to ESPN.

The Lakers were purchased in 1979 by Jerry Buss, the family patriarch, who leveraged his vast real estate holdings to buy the beleaguered team at a nadir in its relevance and profitability.

Remembering Lakers Owner Jerry Buss Derrin Horton reports

In the decades that followed, Jerry, alongside important figures such as Phil Jackson, Jerry West, and Pat Riley, transformed the franchise into a global powerhouse and one of the most successful sports franchises in North America.

The team has achieved consistent success under the Buss family’s stewardship, including 10 NBA Titles under Jerry Buss and an 11th under the current regime.

The Lakers have collected stars under the Buss ownership period, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson of the “Showtime Lakers” era, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol in the 2000s renaissance period, and the current roster which includes the league’s all-time leading scorer LeBron James and Luka Doncic, one of basketball’s greatest young stars.

While having near-unprecedented success in one of the nation’s most desirable markets, the Buss family was one of the less financially powerful ownership groups in the NBA, with the vast majority of their fortune coming from the value of the team itself.

Walter, meanwhile, is a multibillionaire with vast financial resources at his disposal. Lakers fans are already salivating at the thought of a new, aggressive owner with money to burn taking the reins of the team as NBA free agency is set to open in the coming weeks.

The NBA Draft takes place on June 25-26, and the free agency signing window opens July 6.

Walter also has ownership interests in the Los Angeles Sparks WNBA team and a Formula 1 racing team.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Judge to rule on suspect's court attire in Charlie Kirk case

Judge to Decide on Appropriate Court Attire for Defendant in Charlie Kirk Case

A decision is anticipated from a judge on Monday regarding whether Tyler…
Birmingham man arrested after Homewood police chase results in crash

Birmingham Resident Apprehended Following High-Speed Pursuit and Collision in Homewood

In Homewood, Alabama, a suspect linked to a series of vehicle break-ins…
‘Gilmore Girls’ star Sally Struthers reveals hilarious unscripted moment that made it onscreen

Unscripted Comedy Gold: Sally Struthers Shares Iconic ‘Gilmore Girls’ Moment That Captivated Fans

She truly gave it her all. In a delightful twist, Sally Struthers,…
‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ Showrunners Explain that “Really Eerie” ‘Music Man’ Cold Open

Unveiling the Chilling ‘Music Man’ Cold Open: Inside ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ with the Showrunners

The premiere episode of IT: Welcome to Derry kicks off with a…
When do SNAP benefits run out?

Maximize Your SNAP Benefits: Understanding Expiration Dates & How to Make Them Last

SNAP plays a crucial role in the national social safety net, serving…
Woman gets max sentence for murder of 3-year-old in Ohio store parking lot

Ohio Tragedy: Woman Receives Maximum Sentence for Heartbreaking Murder of Toddler in Parking Lot

In a Cleveland courtroom on Monday morning, a judge delivered the harshest…
Woman gets max sentence for murder of 3-year-old in Ohio store parking lot

Ohio Judge Delivers Maximum Sentence in Tragic Case of 3-Year-Old’s Murder

CLEVELAND (WJW) — In a significant ruling on Monday morning, Bionca Ellis…
Smallville star Allison Mack to break silence over NXIVM sex cult

Allison Mack Speaks Out for the First Time About Her Involvement in NXIVM Cult

Allison Mack, the former Smallville star whose involvement in a sex-trafficking case…