Jeanie Buss values Lakers at $10 billion in a landmark deal poised to become the most expensive in US sports history
\n Los Angeles
\nThe Los Angeles Lakers are set for a historic ownership change after Jeanie Buss agreed to sell a majority stake in the storied NBA franchise to Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter, in a record-breaking deal that values the team at $10 billion.
\nThe transaction marks the largest sale in American sports history, surpassing the Boston Celtics\u2019 $6.1 billion agreement earlier this year.
\nThe agreement was first reported by ESPN and later confirmed by multiple sources familiar with the matter.
\nJeanie Buss, 63, assumed control of the Lakers after the death of her father, Jerry Buss, in 2013.
\nJerry Buss bought the team in 1979 for $67.5 million, and under his ownership, the Lakers became one of the most successful and marketable teams in professional sports, winning 10 championships during his tenure.
\nDuring Jeanie Buss\u2019s time at the helm, the franchise signed four-time MVP LeBron James in 2018 and captured its most recent championship in 2020.
\nDespite the sale, she is expected to remain as the team\u2019s governor.
\nWalter, 65, is the chief executive of Guggenheim Partners, a global investment firm, and founder of TWG Global.
\nHe is a well-known figure in sports investment circles, having purchased the Dodgers in 2012 for a then-record $2.15 billion. Under his ownership, the Dodgers have reached the postseason for 12 consecutive years, winning World Series titles in 2020 and 2024.
\nWalter also holds stakes in Chelsea FC, the Los Angeles Sparks, and the Cadillac Formula 1 team. His involvement with the Lakers began in 2021 when he acquired a 27% minority stake from billionaire Philip Anschutz, which included a right of first refusal in the event of a sale.
\nThe deal comes amid a major transition for the Lakers, who traded for Luka Doncic earlier this year and led the NBA in merchandise sales for the 2024\u201325 season. Forbes recently ranked the Lakers third among NBA franchise valuations, behind the Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks.
\nNBA legend Magic Johnson, who played a pivotal role in both the Lakers\u2019 history and the Dodgers\u2019 ownership group, expressed support for the deal on social media:
\n\u201cI told [Jeanie] that her dad Dr Buss would be very proud of her for getting $10 billion for the Lakers\u2026 I can understand why she sold the team to Mark Walter because they are just alike \u2014 competitive, generous, and low-profile.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Jeanie Buss values Lakers at $10 billion in a landmark deal poised to become the most expensive in US sports history Los Angeles The Los Angeles Lakers are set for a historic ownership change after Jeanie Buss agreed to sell a majority stake in the storied NBA franchise to Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":485349,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-485324","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n