Dodgers owner Mark Walter met with NBA officials hours before the World Series to present his record offer to buy the Los Angeles Lakers
Hours before the Dodgers opened the 2025 World Series in Toronto, owner Mark Walter reportedly attended an important meeting in Los Angeles: the presentation of his bid to acquire the Lakers for a record $10 billion, in the first ownership change in nearly 50 years.
Walter appeared before the NBA’s finance advisory committee on Friday to request its approval for the majority purchase of the Lakers from the Buss family, according to ESPN. If authorized, the agreement could be finalized at the end of this month by vote of the Board of Governors.
The moment was surprising. While Walter, in a boardroom, discussed ownership of the NBA, his MLB franchise, the Dodgers, prepared to begin the World Series. His estate now spans high-value franchises around the world.
The proposed $10 billion price tag would eclipse all previous sales of U.S. sports franchises and reset the valuation ceiling.
In 2023, the Washington Commanders sold for $6.05 billion; in July 2025, the Boston Celtics would have reached $6.1 billion.
Walter’s offer for the Lakers would exceed the then-record deal by approximately 65%.
The businessman is no stranger to large sports transactions. He led the purchase of the Dodgers in 2012 for $2.15 billion, a record at the time, now valued at between $6.8 billion and $7.7 billion.
Walter also has stakes in the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, Cadillac’s new Formula 1 team, and is a co-owner of English Premier League club Chelsea.
Under the reported terms, the Buss family would retain a minority stake, more than 15%, allowing Jeanie Buss to remain team governor in the future.
That continuity appears aimed at reassuring both fans and NBA partners during what could be a transformative ownership change.
For the league, the approval process is under scrutiny. The finance committee must evaluate Walter’s capital structure, its debt levels, its exposure to streaming rights and its governance plan before recommending final approval.
If the committee gives the go-ahead, the board could cast a vote by the end of the week.
From the Lakers’ dynasty-laden history (17 NBA titles and global brand strength) to the Dodgers’ recent baseball royalty, Walter’s tenure could transform two of the most iconic teams in the city of Los Angeles.
But approval is not a guarantee: any last-minute revelations or governance concerns could delay or derail the deal.
