Dodgers owner Mark Walter has reportedly made a surprising and historic move that could change the future of one of the most iconic NBA teams — the Los Angeles Lakers. According to recent reports, Walter has entered into a strategic agreement with the Buss family, the longtime majority owners of the Lakers. This new development has caught many sports fans and analysts off guard, especially considering the timing and the secrecy surrounding the talks.
The Buss family has controlled the Lakers since the late Dr. Jerry Buss purchased the team in 1979. Under their leadership, the Lakers became one of the most successful franchises in sports history, winning numerous championships and producing legendary players like Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal. Over the years, ownership has been split among Dr. Buss’s six children, with Jeanie Buss taking over as controlling owner and team president in 2013.
However, things haven’t been smooth in recent years. There have been multiple rumors about internal disagreements among the siblings over the direction of the team. Though the Lakers won the NBA title in 2020, their performance since then has been inconsistent. The team has dealt with injuries, coaching changes, and questions around its long-term strategy. These issues may have played a role in opening the door for outside investment or ownership restructuring.
Sources say that Mark Walter’s involvement won’t mean he is taking over full control of the team, at least not immediately. Instead, the deal appears to give him a significant minority stake, along with some influence in business and operational decisions. It’s a model similar to how ownership works in other major sports franchises, where a lead investor partners with the existing ownership group to bring in fresh ideas, capital, and long-term planning.
Walter is not new to the Los Angeles sports scene. He is the CEO of Guggenheim Partners and has been the controlling owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2012. Under his leadership, the Dodgers have become a powerhouse in Major League Baseball, regularly making playoff appearances and winning the World Series in 2020. His involvement with the Lakers could bring that same business acumen and championship ambition to the struggling NBA franchise.
Industry insiders believe this move could bring new energy to the Lakers organization. Walter has a reputation for building strong front-office teams and investing in analytics, player development, and infrastructure. His ability to build a winning culture with the Dodgers may be exactly what the Lakers need right now as they look to rebuild their roster around stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, while preparing for the post-LeBron era.
Fans have had mixed reactions to the news. While some are optimistic that Walter’s involvement could lead to more stability and smarter long-term planning, others are concerned that it might mark the beginning of the end of the Buss family’s control over the team. Jeanie Buss has long been seen as a loyal steward of her father’s legacy, and some fear that outside influence could shift the team’s priorities away from its historic values.
Still, others see this as a natural evolution in modern sports. Ownership stakes are increasingly being diversified, and many teams now have complex ownership groups with multiple investors. Bringing in a figure like Walter might just be the boost the Lakers need, especially as other NBA franchises also attract wealthy and powerful backers who are looking to win at all costs.
It’s important to note that the NBA will have to approve any major ownership changes, and that process can take time. For now, it seems that Walter’s entry is more of a strategic partnership than a takeover. But depending on how things go in the next few years, this could become one of the most significant turning points in the Lakers’ ownership history.
As the Lakers look ahead to next season, with new decisions to be made around coaching, trades, and long-term planning, having someone like Mark Walter in the room could change the way the franchise approaches its business. Whether this results in more wins, better team management, or simply a different tone in the front office, one thing is clear — change is coming to the Lakers, and it’s being led by one of the most powerful men in American sports.
