New Owner Mark Walter Emerges as Buss Family Sells Lakers for a $10 Billion Valuation
Lakers' Majority Ownership Changed Hands: Here's the Lowdown on Mark Walter
The buzzing social media sphere is abuzz with the news that the Buss clan has agreed to sell the Lakers' controlling stake to Mark Walter for an estimated $10 billion. This whopping valuation sets a new U.S. professional sports organization record!
For a while, the Buss family will still call the shots, maintaining a 15% minority share of the Los Angeles team. This means Jeanie Buss continues as the team's governor for several years. No surprises here; Walter, the new CEO of TWG Global, is cool with this arrangement.
So, who is this guy, you ask? Apart from being a wealthy CEO, Mark Walter has already been a part of the Lakers family since four years ago when he scooped up 26% of the shares from Phil Anschutz. Remember, he tried to grab the whole shebang in 2021 but was turned down.
Walter's TWG Global has partnerships with numerous pro sports teams, including the Premier League club Chelsea, Women's Professional Hockey League, Cadillac Formula 1, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Los Angeles Sparks.
Lakers legend Magic Johnson, who's both biz partner and chum to Jeanie Buss, supports this move wholeheartedly. He thinks fans should be thrilled, as the new owner's likely to overhaul the team and make it great again.
"Mark Walter's the top pick and the ideal guardian of the Laker brand," Magic said, excitedly posting on his socials. "The proof is in the pudding on what he's managed with the LA Dodgers. Mark's an all-round winner with 2 World Series titles and 11 NL West divisional championships under his belt in the past 12 years!"
Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts also shared his enthusiasm. "Mark's highly competitive, and he'll pull out all stops to field a championship-worthy team every year, making sure LA's proud of the Lakers and the legacy they've built with the Buss family."
Mark Walter, more than just a sports fanatic, is a billionaire financial services heavyweight. As CEO of Guggenheim Partners, he manages over $300 billion in assets[5]. His multi-franchise ownership strategy has made him a significant figure in professional sports.
In the Lakers family since 2021, Walter initially bought about 26% of the shares[1][4]. In June 2025, he clinched a deal for majority ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers, estimated at around $10 billion[1][2][3]. The Buss family, who've controlled the team since 1979 and captured 11 NBA titles, now hold a 15% stake, with Jeanie Buss continuing as governor[1][3].
Walter's acquisition of the Lakers adds to his impressive sports portfolio, including his grip on the MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers[1][5] and Chelsea, the Premier League soccer club[3][5]. He also owns chunks of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, and women's professional hockey league, plus auto racing teams[5].
Mark Walter's recent takeover of the Lakers majority ownership positions him as a vital player in the modern sports ownership scene worldwide[1][3][5].
Mark Walter's significant ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers, valued at around $10 billion, demonstrates his prominence in the world of professional sports. His ownership extends beyond basketball, as he is also the CEO of TWG Global, which has partnerships with various sports teams, such as Chelsea, the Premier League club, and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
