🏀 Mark Walter’s Historic $10 Billion Acquisition of the Lakers

 

Mark Walter, CEO of Guggenheim Partners and owner of TWG Global, has struck a monumental deal to acquire a majority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers, valued at approximately $10 billion—the highest price ever paid for a U.S. professional sports franchise  .

🔹 Who is Mark Walter?

• Born January 1, 1960 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
• Holds a BA from Creighton University and a JD from Northwestern University  .
• Co‑founded Guggenheim Partners (managing over $325 billion AUM).
• Owner/investor in major sports:
  
• Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB) – 2× World Series champion under his tenure.
• Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA), Cadillac F1, PWHL, part of BlueCo (Chelsea FC)  .
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🔸 What Does the Deal Include?

• Walter previously held a 27 % minority stake in the Lakers since 2021  .
• The new agreement will shift controlling ownership from the Buss family, who’ve owned the Lakers since 1979 (bought for $67.5M)  .
• Despite the sale, Jeanie Buss—the team governor—will remain in her role  .

🏆 Why This Deal Matters

1. Record-breaking valuation: Surpasses the Boston Celtics’ $6.1 billion sale earlier this year  .
2. Sports industry milestone: Sets a new high water mark for franchise valuations across U.S. leagues .
3. Leverage of media rights: Fuelled by the NBA’s recent 11‑year, $77 billion media rights deal, increasing team valuations across the league  .

🗣️ Reactions & Context

• Magic Johnson, part-owner of the Dodgers and former Lakers legend:
  “Mark Walter is the best choice … the proof is in the pudding on what he’s been able to accomplish with the LA Dodgers.” 
  He praised Walter’s leadership and his passion for resources to build winning teams  .
  
  
  
• He also humorously contrasted the Lakers’ $10B deal to the Celtics’:
  “Just like I thought, when the Celtics sold for $6B, I knew the Lakers were worth $10B!”  
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📈 What Lies Ahead

• Operational continuity: Jeanie Buss continues as governor, ensuring stability within Lakers operations  .
• Resource infusion: Known for investing heavily in the Dodgers, Walter may replicate similar spending in areas such as scouting, infrastructure, and analytics  .
• NBA board approval: The deal requires sign-off from the NBA’s ownership board—though insiders suggest it’s a formality  .

📝 Final Take

Mark Walter’s acquisition of the Lakers stands as a landmark in sports business—combining financial heft, strategic ambition, and a track record of success. With Walter’s ownership, supported by Jeanie Buss’s governance, the Lakers are positioned to thrive on both the court and in global operations.