Lakers earthquake! Lakers change of ownership breaks the sports record, the Bass family finally lets go

The latest news on June 19, well-known reporter Shams revealed that the Bass family, who has been in charge of the Los Angeles Lakers for decades, will soon sell the team to the new boss. They have negotiated with billionaire Mark Walter to buy most of the Lakers' shares. The deal is estimated to be worth $10 billion, and it may eventually reach a sky-high price of 12 billion, setting the largest team trading record in sports history. Jenny Bass will continue to manage the team in the future. The Athletic also confirmed the negotiation news.

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Who is the new boss Mark Walter?

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According to Forbes data, Walter's personal wealth is about 6.1 billion US dollars. His investment tentacles extend to multiple sports fields, including the Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Team, the Los Angeles Spark Women's Basketball Team, Billy Jen Gold Cup Tennis Game, F1 Cadillac Team and the Professional Women's Hockey League. He is also the helm of Guggenheim Investments, a giant that manages over $300 billion in huge assets.

Walter spent $2.2 billion to buy the Dodgers in 2012 with a team including "Magician" Johnson. In 2021, he acquired another stake in the Lakers and obtained the right to purchase the position of major shareholders in the future.

Transactions exceeding 10 billion yuan and new history

The total price of this transaction is expected to be between 10 billion and 12 billion US dollars, easily exceeding the trading amount of all previous professional sports teams and becoming a new benchmark. Not long before the agreement was reached, Jenny Buss' two closest friends in the NBA boss circle also sold the team: Mark Cuban transferred most of the Dallas Mavericks' equity for $3.5 billion, and Wake Grusbeck sold the Boston Celtics for $6.1 billion.

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Lakers legendary star "Magic" Johnson wrote on social media: "I knew! The Celtics sold 6 billion, and the Lakers must be worth 10 billion!"

The glorious years between the Bass family and the Lakers

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In 1979, Bass Jerry spent $67.5 million to buy the Lakers, which also included the Hockey Kings and a stadium. After Bass, the team was inherited by his children in 2013, and Jenny became the actual person in charge. She is expected to remain in office after the deal. Currently, the Bass family holds about two-thirds of the Lakers' shares, and the specific share Walter has not yet announced.

During the reign of the Bass family, the Lakers grew into a world-class sports giant, winning a total of 11 NBA championship trophys (the most recent time was 2020). From 2000 to 2002, famous coach Phil Jackson and superstars O'Neal and Kobe won three consecutive championships. It is worth mentioning that the team won the Mavericks superstar Luca Doncic through trade last season, which shocked the entire league.

Lakers team reporter Woike pointed out that among the six children of Old Bass, most of them need to agree to the sale. According to NBA regulations, major shareholders representing teams at league meetings must hold at least 15% of the shares. Although Jenny will continue to be in charge, the Bass family sold the team, marking the end of a great era - a team that has been a benchmark for the development of the NBA for decades.

Many Lakers media welcomed this change of ownership. They believe that the new boss should be more willing to invest money than Jenny and are optimistic about the team's future operation space.

The acquisition case of the five major teams in sports history:

Los Angeles Lakers (2025): Over $10 billion (New record holder)

Boston Celtics (2025): 6.1 billion

Washington Commanders (2023): 6.05 billion

Denver Broncos (2022): 4.65 billion

Phoenix Suns & Mercury (2023): 4 billion

Currently, the Lakers have surpassed the Celtics and become the largest trading record in sports history.