Mark Walter Set to Take Over the Lakers in Historic $10 Billion Deal

Mark Walter is acquiring controlling ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers in a record-breaking $10 billion valuation deal. Learn who Mark Walter is, what this means for the Lakers, and why fans are excited.

🧠 Who is Mark Walter?

Mark Walter is a billionaire financier, CEO of Guggenheim Partners, and a prominent name in the sports world. He already owns controlling stakes in the Los Angeles Dodgers, Premier League’s Chelsea FC, the Professional Women’s Hockey League, and Cadillac Formula 1 via TWG Motorsports.

Now, Walter is making headlines again by stepping in as the new controlling owner of the Los Angeles Lakers — at a record-setting $10 billion franchise valuation.

💥 The Lakers Deal: A New NBA Record

The Buss family, who have owned the Lakers since 1979, are selling their controlling stake to Mark Walter. This transaction doesn’t just shift ownership—it shatters records:

💸 $10 billion: The highest-ever valuation for any pro sports franchise
🏆 Ends 46 years of Buss family control
🔁 Continues Jeanie Buss’s role as team governor (she retains at least 15%)

Jeanie Buss, known for her leadership since her father’s passing in 2013, remains connected to the team she’s helped steer through championships and legacy-building moments.

🏀 A Dynasty in Good Hands

✨ Why Mark Walter?

According to Lakers legend and business partner Magic Johnson, Mark Walter is the perfect fit:

“Mark is driven by winning, excellence, and doing everything the right way,” Johnson said.
“He will put in the resources needed to win. This makes all the sense in the world.”

Walter’s track record with the Dodgers — 2 World Series appearances, 11 division titles in 12 years — speaks volumes. Fans and players alike are optimistic about what he’ll bring to the Purple & Gold.

Even Luka Dončić, Lakers star guard, expressed excitement:

“The Lakers are an amazing organization. I’m looking forward to meeting Mark and excited about the future.”

📈 Why This Matters

Cultural shift: The Lakers’ first non-Buss controlling owner in over 4 decades
NBA impact: May influence future team valuations and ownership models
Los Angeles legacy: Walter is deeply embedded in the city’s sports culture

This isn’t just a team transaction—it’s a massive moment for sports business, NBA history, and Los Angeles itself.

🔚 Final Thoughts

The sale of the Lakers to Mark Walter isn’t just a financial milestone — it’s a changing of the guard in one of the NBA’s most iconic franchises.

With Walter’s championship vision, business acumen, and commitment to excellence, Lakers fans have every reason to believe the team’s next era will be as golden as its past.