Mark Walter Buys Controlling Stake in Lakers at Record $10 Billion Valuation, Largest Sale in Sports History Confirmed

In a landmark deal that will go down in the history of global sports business, billionaire Mark Walter is set to purchase a majority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers at an unprecedented $10 billion valuation. This jaw-dropping agreement, first confirmed by league sources and front office insiders, not only solidifies the Lakers as one of the most valuable franchises in the world but also marks the single largest sale of a professional sports team in history.

Walter, best known as the CEO of Guggenheim Partners and co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, has officially entered into an agreement to acquire the controlling interest of the Lakers from the Buss family, who have held majority ownership since 1979. While the financial details remain tightly sealed beyond the valuation, sources close to the deal confirm that Walter’s group will obtain a 51% majority stake, placing him firmly at the helm of one of the NBA’s most storied franchises.

Importantly, Jeanie Buss, the daughter of late Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss, will remain in her position as Governor of the team and will continue to oversee day-to-day basketball operations. League insiders say this clause was essential to the integrity of the agreement, maintaining continuity within the organization and honoring the Buss legacy that has produced 11 NBA championships since Dr. Buss bought the team more than four decades ago.

The significance of this transaction extends far beyond Los Angeles or even the United States. With a $10 billion valuation, the Lakers sale has now eclipsed the previous global record set by the Washington Commanders’ $6.05 billion sale to Josh Harris in 2023. It also towers above deals such as the sale of Chelsea Football Club in the English Premier League for roughly $5.2 billion. The global sports marketplace, once dominated by soccer teams and NFL franchises, now turns its attention to the NBA as a financial juggernaut.

“This is a monumental moment for the NBA and global sports,” said a senior league executive, speaking under the condition of anonymity. “A $10 billion valuation is not just a headline; it’s a statement about the global appeal of the Lakers brand and the future earning power of the NBA.”

Mark Walter is no stranger to managing high-profile sports entities. Under his leadership, Guggenheim Baseball Management purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012 for $2.15 billion—a record at the time. Since then, the Dodgers have appeared in four World Series, won the championship in 2020, and made the postseason every year since the takeover. Walter’s approach to management, which includes heavy investments in analytics, player development, and fan experience, has transformed the Dodgers into one of MLB’s model franchises.

Walter’s entry into the NBA via the Lakers continues a growing trend of cross-sport investment by high-net-worth individuals and consortiums. But Walter’s strategic move is as much about the future of entertainment as it is about basketball. With NBA global media rights up for renegotiation in 2025 and international markets like India, China, and Africa representing massive untapped revenue, owning a team like the Lakers positions Walter to be a powerful voice in shaping the league’s future.

“In many ways, this is about long-term global expansion,” said sports business analyst Kate Marshall. “Walter isn’t just buying the Lakers—he’s buying into the NBA’s worldwide growth potential. The league’s next media rights deal could double its current value, and the Lakers are at the center of that.”

The Lakers, despite missing the NBA Finals in recent years, remain one of the most iconic brands in sports. With a global fanbase in the hundreds of millions, historic championship pedigree, and a prime location in Los Angeles—the media capital of the world—the team has always stood as a symbol of glamour, competition, and legacy. The team has been home to legends like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and currently, LeBron James.

The Lakers also rank among the NBA’s top revenue generators year after year, owing in part to massive local TV deals, international merchandising, and consistent playoff relevance. While the on-court results have varied in the post-Kobe era, the brand’s strength has never wavered. In fact, it’s grown—especially as the NBA deepens its footprint on streaming platforms and social media.

The sale also comes at a pivotal moment in the NBA’s own trajectory. Commissioner Adam Silver is navigating collective bargaining agreements, expansion talk, and the technological evolution of how fans consume basketball. With a new ownership face like Mark Walter, the league not only gains a savvy business mind but also one deeply familiar with balancing tradition and innovation.

Meanwhile, Jeanie Buss remaining involved assures Lakers fans that the team’s culture and commitment to championship-level competition will persist. “I love this franchise. I love our fans. My father built this with vision and love, and I will always protect that,” Buss said in a brief statement following the announcement. “Partnering with Mark Walter gives us the resources and reach to thrive in this new era, while staying true to our legacy.”

NBA owners are expected to formally vote on the approval of the deal at the next Board of Governors meeting. Sources close to several teams indicate that approval is likely to be unanimous. Walter’s clean reputation, financial transparency, and previous success with the Dodgers make him a low-risk, high-upside addition to the league’s elite ownership circle.

Reaction across the basketball world has been swift. LeBron James, the face of the Lakers and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, posted a cryptic but optimistic tweet: “🟣🟡💰➡️👑🚀,” signaling excitement about the team’s future. Meanwhile, Lakers legends such as Magic Johnson and Pau Gasol praised the move as a “bold and visionary next step.”

For Walter, this acquisition cements him as one of the most influential sports owners in the world. With holdings in Major League Baseball, the NBA, and interests in global sports ventures, he joins a rare group of magnates whose impact spans leagues and continents. He is also known for championing community initiatives and social responsibility, which could bode well for expanding the Lakers’ outreach efforts in underprivileged areas across Los Angeles.

Though many questions remain—how the new ownership might influence free agency, whether front office changes are looming, or how this could alter the Lakers’ player development strategy—one thing is clear: the Purple and Gold are now sitting atop the sports business mountain. Again.

This sale underscores what many have already known: the Lakers are not just a basketball team—they are a global brand, a cultural institution, and now, the standard-bearer of sports franchise value. As the ink dries on this record-breaking deal, the entire sporting world watches closely to see what happens next under the new leadership of Mark Walter.

The Lakers just broke another record—and this time, it wasn’t on the court.