LA Lakers Sold to Mark Walter and TWG Global in $10bn Blockbuster Deal

The purple and gold are entering a new era. The Los Angeles Lakers are being sold by the iconic Buss family to billionaire Mark Walter and his investment group TWG Global in a record-shattering $10 billion deal – making it the most expensive team sale in NBA history and one of the priciest in all of sport.

The sale marks the end of an extraordinary chapter: the Buss family has owned the Lakers since Jerry Buss bought the franchise in 1979 for $67.5 million. Under their stewardship, the Lakers became synonymous with glamour, dominance, and a distinctly Hollywood brand of basketball. But change is now officially underway.

Mark Walter, already a major sports player as co-owner of Chelsea FC, the LA Dodgers, and WNBA’s LA Sparks – leads TWG Global’s push into the NBA. The acquisition deepens the crossover between global sport and American leagues, and raises expectations that the Lakers will remain a cornerstone of elite, international sporting portfolios.

Yet, fans won’t be saying goodbye to the Buss era entirely. Jeanie Buss, Jerry Buss’ daughter and one of the most powerful women in global sport, is reported to be staying on as the Lakers’ governor. Her continued presence offers some reassurance for longtime fans, preserving a sense of continuity amid a dramatic ownership shift. Known for her steady leadership and deep emotional connection to the franchise, Jeanie remaining in the fold could help the Lakers balance legacy with ambition.

The Lakers’ most recent title came in 2020, their 17th overall. But inconsistent seasons have followed, despite stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis. With new ownership, familiar leadership, and a massive valuation to match, Lakers Nation is left asking: will this new era restore the Showtime glory – or simply reshape it?