If you’ve been following the Purple and Gold lately, you know the vibe around Crypto.com Arena feels... different. It’s not just the roster or the coaching staff. It’s the money. In late 2025, the Los Angeles Lakers underwent the biggest seismic shift since Dr. Jerry Buss bought the team in a hotel bar back in 1979. We have a new owner of Lakers basketball in the form of billionaire Mark Walter, and honestly, the $10 billion price tag is just the beginning of the story.
It’s a weird time for the franchise. For decades, the Lakers were a family business. But as player salaries ballooned and "luxury tax" became a scary phrase for the Buss siblings, the writing was on the wall. Jeanie Buss didn't just wake up and decide to sell; she choreographed a transition to someone she already trusted.
Who is Mark Walter?
You probably know the name if you follow the Dodgers. Mark Walter is the CEO of Guggenheim Partners, a firm that manages over $325 billion. He’s the guy who turned the Dodgers into a perennial juggernaut by essentially outspending everyone while building a massive scouting and analytics machine.
He didn't come out of nowhere. Back in 2021, Walter and his partner Todd Boehly bought a 27% stake in the Lakers from Philip Anschutz. That was the "toe in the water" phase. By June 2025, that interest turned into a full-on takeover. The NBA Board of Governors officially gave the green light in October 2025, cementing Walter as the majority owner.
Wait, so is Jeanie Buss gone? Not exactly.
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The 15% Rule and the Five-Year Plan
One of the biggest misconceptions about the new owner of Lakers situation is that Jeanie was "ousted." She wasn't. In fact, she’s still the "Governor" of the team. To keep that title under NBA rules, she has to hold at least 15% of the team.
The deal was structured so that Walter and Boehly now own about 85% of the franchise, while the Buss family retains that crucial minority slice. But there’s a ticking clock. Reports from insiders like Ramona Shelburne and Front Office Sports suggest Jeanie will stay in her current role for a maximum of five years. It’s a transition period. A way to keep the "Laker DNA" while Walter brings in the "Dodger Bank Account."
Why This Matters for the Roster
Let’s be real: the Lakers were getting out-muscled by "new money" owners like Steve Ballmer (Clippers) and Mat Ishbia (Suns). The Buss family wealth was almost entirely tied up in the team itself. They didn't have an outside software empire or a hedge fund to subsidize $100 million luxury tax bills.
Mark Walter changes that dynamic instantly.
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- Deep Pockets: Walter’s net worth is estimated at over $7 billion, but more importantly, his investment group has nearly infinite liquidity.
- The "Dodger Blueprint": Expect a massive expansion in the front office. We’re talking more scouts, better data analysts, and top-tier training facilities.
- The Luka Factor: It’s no coincidence that the ownership change happened around the same time the Lakers pivoted their future toward building around Luka Dončić.
The era of "running the Lakers like a mom-and-pop shop" is officially dead.
The Family Drama Nobody Talks About
While the sale made the headlines, the internal Buss family fallout was brutal. In November 2025, Jesse and Joey Buss—who had been staples in the scouting and research departments—were let go.
It was a cold move. Jesse had been widely praised for finding late-round gems like Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart. Seeing them pushed out by their sister Jeanie as part of the Walter transition felt like the final scene of a corporate thriller. The brothers walked away with nearly a billion dollars each from the sale, but they also walked away from the family legacy. They’ve since started their own firm, Buss Sports Capital.
What’s Next for Lakers Fans?
So, what does this actually look like on the court? Honestly, it looks like stability. Under the new owner of Lakers, Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick have more resources than they ever did under the previous regime.
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If the Lakers need to take on a massive contract to win a title, they can do it now. The fear of the "Repeater Tax" won't be the boogeyman it used to be. Walter is a winner. He didn't buy the team to make a 5% annual return; he bought it because the Lakers are the crown jewel of global sports.
Practical Steps for the New Era
If you’re a fan trying to keep up with how the new owner of Lakers will change things, here’s what to watch for:
- Watch the Trade Deadline: In the past, the Lakers were hesitant to take on long-term money. With Walter’s backing, expect them to be much more aggressive in "buying" talent.
- Monitor the Front Office Hires: Look for the team to poach high-level executives from other sports or high-tech backgrounds. The "Old Boys Club" is being replaced by a corporate machine.
- The 2030 Horizon: Keep an eye on that five-year window. By 2030, Jeanie Buss may step back entirely, making Walter the sole face of the franchise.
The Lakers aren't just a basketball team anymore. They are a multi-billion dollar asset being managed by one of the most successful sports investors in history. It might feel less like a family, but it’s definitely going to feel more like a champion.
To stay ahead of the curve, you should look into how Mark Walter structured the Dodgers' TV deals and front office, as it's the exact playbook he's currently running at Crypto.com Arena. Checking the NBA's official transparency reports on team valuations can also give you a sense of just how much the "Walter Effect" is inflating the value of the Western Conference.