NBA
Brian Windhorst expects a ‘modernization’ of the Lakers with sale of Buss family’s majority ownership
Zach Wolpin is an NBA and NFL expert who's been betting on the league for over three years now. Wolpin has been a fan of the NBA and has been watching for a decade and a half. He covers the latest news and stories surrounding the league daily. His passion in life is watching sports and being able to share that through his sports writing. He has written about the NBA and other sports leagues through various media outlets over the years like Sir Charles In Charge, G-Men HQ, and TAP into South Plainfield. Before he became an NBA News Writer, Wolpin attended Montclair State University where he graduated in 2021. He studied Sports Media and Writing while in school.
All posts by Zach WolpinUpdated40 mins ago on June 19, 2025
On Wednesday afternoon, the NBA landscape was hit with shocking news. After 46 years, the Buss Family has decided to sell the majority ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers.
TWG Global CEO Mark Walter is expected to pay approximately $10 billion, the highest sale ever for a US sports franchise. With this sale, NBA insiders believe the team could head into an era of “modernization.” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst says the time is “interesting.” He also notes this move makes the Lakers more dangerous moving forward. They’ll have plenty of resources to work with Walter as the majority owner.
What changes will the Lakers see with Mark Walter as the majority owner?
BREAKING: The Buss family is entering an agreement to sell majority ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers to Mark Walter, the CEO and chairman of diversified holding company TWG Global, sources tell ESPN. Jeanie Buss will continue to serve in her role as Governor after the sale. pic.twitter.com/1Da6LDD7TJ
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 18, 2025
Since 1979, the Los Angeles Lakers have been owned by the Buss family. Jerry Buss purchased the team from Jack Cooke for $67.5 million. During their ownership, Los Angeles has won 11 NBA championships. When Jerry died in 2013, ownership of the team went into a trust controlled by his six children. In 2017, an agreement was struck for his daughter Jeanie to be the Lakers’ controlling owner. She’s held that role for nearly a decade, but ownership is making a change.
ESPN’s Shams Charania announced Wednesday that TWG Global CEO Mark Walter will purchase majority ownership of the Lakers. Jeanie Buss will remain the Lakers’ governor for “at least a number of years.” Mark Walter has been a team shareholder since 2021, when he purchased Phil Anschutz’s share of 26%. With this shift in ownership, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst believes the Lakers could expect a shift in “modernization.”
Lakers’ Sale Could Strengthen Team With Expected Modernization, Increased Resources https://t.co/BlpvlVBSdh
— RealGM (@RealGM) June 19, 2025
Windhorst noted that this was not a total shock that Walter is the next majority owner of the Lakers. When he became a shareholder in 2021, he also had the right of first refusal. It was only a matter of time, and the Buss family decided to give up majority ownership to Mark Walter. With this change in ownership, Windhorst believes the Lakers have become more dangerous.
Mark Walter has plenty of resources to pour into the team and make a championship contender. In the past, the Lakers have paid the luxury tax. Not to the level of teams like the Clippers, Warriors, or Suns. With Walter taking over, Brian Windhorst said Los Angeles becomes a “more dynamic organization.” LeBron James is near the end of his professional career, but the Lakers still have Luka Doncic to build around. What will the next 5-10 years look like with Mark Walter as majority owner?
