Mark Walter now owns the Los Angeles Lakers, having closed a deal to buy majority control from the Buss family at a $10 billion valuation — the richest sale in sports history, surpassing the Boston Celtics’ $6.1 billion price tag. Jeanie Buss, who ran the team for the family for years, stays on as governor under a five-year commitment.
What makes this especially interesting for me to cover is that Walter already owned the Los Angeles Dodgers, meaning one owner now controls two of LA’s marquee franchises. I get into that overlap in more detail on the Dodgers page.
Quick Facts
| Team | Los Angeles Lakers |
|---|---|
| Owner | Mark Walter |
| Governor (Day-to-Day) | Jeanie Buss (5-year commitment) |
| Sale Valuation | $10 billion (record for any sports franchise) |
| Deal Closed | Late 2025 |
| Founded | 1947 (as the Minneapolis Lakers) |
| League | NBA |
| Home | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California |
Ownership History
| Year | Development |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Founded as the Minneapolis Lakers |
| 1960 | Team relocates to Los Angeles |
| 1979 | Dr. Jerry Buss purchases the Lakers as part of a larger sports and real estate deal |
| 2013 | Jerry Buss dies; ownership passes to his children, with daughter Jeanie Buss becoming team president/governor |
| 2021 | Mark Walter, already Dodgers owner, buys Phil Anschutz’s 27% Lakers stake, becoming a minority investor |
| 2025 | Buss family agrees to sell majority control to Mark Walter at a $10 billion valuation; NBA Board of Governors unanimously approves the sale; deal closes in late October |
| 2026 | Jeanie Buss continues as governor under her five-year commitment; Buss family retains just over 15% of the team |
Key Ownership Highlights
- At $10 billion, this is the richest sale of any sports franchise in the world, well ahead of the previous record set by the Boston Celtics.
- Mark Walter also owns the Los Angeles Dodgers, giving one person control of two of the city’s most valuable sports franchises.
- Jeanie Buss’s continued role as governor for at least five years was a key negotiated term, preserving Buss family involvement even after the sale.
- Walter built his fortune as CEO and chairman of TWG Global, a diversified holding company, and has been one of the most aggressive spenders in MLB since buying the Dodgers in 2012.
- For questions about a specific minority stakeholder’s involvement, see our separate piece on whether Magic Johnson still holds a Lakers stake.
FAQ
Who owns the Lakers now?
Mark Walter, following a $10 billion purchase of majority control from the Buss family that closed in late 2025. Jeanie Buss remains governor.
Does the Buss family still own any part of the Lakers?
Yes, just over 15%, retained as part of the sale agreement.
Does Mark Walter own other sports teams?
Yes. He has owned the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2012 and holds ties to Chelsea FC and Guggenheim Partners as well.
