Breaking News: Jeanie Buss Sells Majority Stake in Lakers to Mark Walter in Historic ~$10 Billion Deal—A Transformational Shift That Ends 46 Years of Family Ownership but Keeps the Legacy Alive Under New Elite Leadership

🏀💼 Breaking News: Jeanie Buss Sells Majority Stake in Lakers to Mark Walter in Historic ~$10 Billion Deal—A Transformational Shift That Ends 46 Years of Family Ownership but Keeps the Legacy Alive Under New Elite Leadership 💼🏀

 

In a landmark and emotionally charged decision announced mid‑June 2025, Jeanie Buss, daughter of legendary Lakers owner Jerry Buss and the long‑time governor of the Los Angeles Lakers, has agreed to sell the majority ownership of the Lakers franchise to Mark Walter, CEO of Guggenheim Partners and co‑owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The transaction comes in at an eye‑watering valuation of approximately $10 billion, making it the highest sale price ever recorded for an American professional sports franchise .

 

 

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🔹 An End of an Era, a Beginning of a New Dynasty

 

The Lakers, under the stewardship of the Buss family since Jerry Buss purchased the team for $67.5 million in 1979, have become a globally recognized brand, collecting 11 NBA titles during the “Showtime” era and beyond. In 2013, control of the franchise passed to Jeanie Buss through a family trust upon her father’s death. Now, after 46 years of family ownership, that chapter closes as the majority share transitions to Walter .

 

However, it’s far from an abrupt takeover. Jeanie Buss will remain on as team governor, maintaining a minority stake (minimum 15% per NBA rules) in the organization—meaning the Buss family legacy lives on at least in part .

 

 

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🔹 Who Is Mark Walter—and Why Now?

 

Mark Walter, age 65, is already a blockbuster figure in sports management. As CEO of Guggenheim Partners (with over $325 billion in assets), he led the acquisition of the MLB’s Dodgers in 2012 for $2.15 billion. Since then, he’s steered the Dodgers to two World Series victories and twelve consecutive playoff appearances. His portfolio also includes stakes in the Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA), Chelsea FC (Premier League), and Cadillac Formula 1 through Andretti Global .

 

Walter was no stranger to Lakers’ ownership—he held a minority interest since 2021 under a right-of-first-refusal agreement, positioning him to assume control when the Buss family decided to sell .

 

 

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🔹 Why $10 Billion? What Makes the Lakers So Valuable?

 

This price tag places the Lakers as the most expensive U.S. pro sports franchise, surpassing the Celtics’ $6.05 billion sale earlier this year . Notable factors driving this monumental valuation include:

 

A massive media rights deal: The NBA’s current television agreements are worth a staggering $77 billion .

 

Merchandise dominance: The Lakers consistently top NBA merchandise sales .

 

Elite global brand: A legacy spotlighted by icons like Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and LeBron James.

 

The cavalcade of star power: The Lakers led the league in global appeal even before acquiring Luka Dončić this past February .

 

 

As The Guardian observes, the sale reveals an era where “blue‑chip sports properties have become too big for most billionaires”—valuations like this belong to corporate heavyweights .

 

 

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🔹 Reaction from Inside and Outside the Game

 

Immediate responses from within the NBA ecosystem have been overwhelmingly positive:

 

Magic Johnson, former Laker Hall-of-Famer and business partner of Walter’s, praised the move on social media:

 

> “Mark Walter is the best choice and will be the best caretaker of the Laker brand… Laker fans should be ecstatic.”

 

 

 

Luka Dončić, the franchise’s newest superstar, expressed optimism:

 

> “I’m happy that Jeanie will continue to be involved,” signalling continuity .

 

 

 

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts foresaw enhanced competitiveness:

 

> “He’s … going to do everything he can to produce a championship‑caliber team every single year” .

 

 

 

 

Walter’s track record with the Dodgers further fuels anticipation—expectations for strategic, sustainable excellence are high .

 

 

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🔹 What’s Next? The Road Ahead for the Purple & Gold

 

Operational continuity: Jeanie Buss continuing in her role ensures stability in organizational philosophy and NBA governance.

 

Financial firepower unleashed: With Guggenheim’s backing, the Lakers gain deeper pockets to navigate salary cap constraints—no more penny-pinching on role players .

 

Strategic alignment: Walter’s model—elite investment, infrastructure upgrades, long-term stability—has worked for the Dodgers. The Lakers stand to benefit from replicating that success .

 

Legacy maintenance: The Lakers don’t just want to win—they must keep their brand’s legendary ethos intact. With Walter and Buss aligned, fans can expect both ambition and reverence for history .

 

 

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🔹 Significance: A Turning Point in Sports Ownership

 

This $10 billion transaction symbolizes a seismic shift in how we understand sports franchise ownership. It marks the end of a family dynasty and the rise of institutional investment in elite sports—signaling a new era where vast capital and global sports portfolios define ownership boundaries .

 

For Lakers fans, it’s both nostalgia and optimism: honoring Jerry Buss’s “Showtime” legacy while stepping into a future powered by modern sports strategy and capital might.

 

 

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In Summary:

 

This isn’t simply a business transaction—it’s a cultural milestone. A family era concludes, and a corporate-led future dawns. Jeanie Buss remains as governor, preserving legacy; Mark Walter brings global sports acumen and financial strength. Together, they aim to elevate the Lakers into their next championship era. The stage is set, the stakes are monumental—and the purple-and-gold destiny marches on.

 

 

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