All this has put TWG’s chairman and CEO Mark Walter in position to take a big step. He intends to purchase the control ownership share from the Los Angeles Lakers, putting a legendary franchise at a historic $10 billion valuation. This acquisition is expected to close in the Q3 or Q4 of 2025. The bill would dramatically change the ownership structure of one of the most historic teams in sports history.
Walter became a minority owner of the Lakers in 2021. During these four years, he developed a great camaraderie with his team. He possesses values closely related to the franchise’s excellence and success. Jeanie Buss has run the Lakers since her father, Jerry Buss, purchased the franchise in 1979. She will remain as the organization’s chief executive. She will still very much be in charge of everything the team does on a day-to-day basis going forward for the long haul.
And for 46 years, the Buss family has proudly owned the Los Angeles Lakers. Their leadership has created a legacy so diverse and deep that fans celebrate it from D.C. to Doha. Under Jeanie Buss’s leadership, the team has focused on delivering a competitive spirit and a winning culture to Los Angeles.
“From the day our father purchased the Lakers, we have been determined to deliver what the City of Los Angeles deserves and demands: a team that is committed to winning — relentlessly — and to doing so with passion and with style” – Jeanie Buss
The Lakers are one of the most successful teams in professional sports history. Their incredible history and unique legacy continues to inspire fans across the world today. Mark Walter emphasized this iconic status, stating, “They have truly set the standard for basketball in one era after another, which is why you can find people anywhere in the world wearing Lakers shirts and jerseys.”
Walter’s role with the Lakers has been critical. He holds shares of a number of other sports franchises, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Sparks. He brings those diversified interests to global sporting events ranging from the Billie Jean King Cup to Formula 1 racing.
The sale of the Los Angeles Lakers comes on the heels of another blockbuster sports transaction. Only three months prior, the Boston Celtics had sold at an enterprise valuation of $6.1 billion. Notably, this trend further signifies the increasing valuation placed on top sports franchises over recent years.
“I have gotten to know Mark very well over time and been delighted to learn how he shares those same values. For the last four years, Mark has been an excellent partner to us, and we are thrilled to keep working with him to continue the Lakers’ extraordinary legacy” – Jeanie Buss
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