The Lakers Change Hands: A New Era Begins

The Lakers are under new management. The Buss family, who have owned the team for nearly 50 years, have sold a majority stake to Mark Walter. This deal is the biggest sale ever for a U. S. sports team, worth a whopping $10 billion. Jeanie Buss, who took over after her father Jerry Buss passed away, is happy with this change. She believes Walter shares the same passion for winning and style that the Buss family has always had. Walter is no stranger to sports. He already owns the Dodgers and has stakes in other teams like the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks and a Formula 1 team. He has been a minority owner of the Lakers since 2021, so he knows the team well. The sale is expected to close by the end of 2025. Jeanie will stay on as governor, overseeing day-to-day operations. The Buss family has had a successful run with the Lakers, winning 11 NBA titles. They bought the team in 1979 for $67. 5 million, a fraction of what it's worth now. Magic Johnson, a Lakers legend, congratulated Jeanie on the deal and praised Walter. This sale comes after a big trade and a disappointing playoff exit. The Lakers got Luka Doncic from Dallas in February, but their season ended in the first round of the playoffs. LeBron James, the team's star player, got injured in the last game. At 40 years old, James is thinking about his future in the NBA. He has a player option for next season but hasn't decided yet. The Lakers are moving into a new chapter. With Walter at the helm and Jeanie still involved, the team aims to keep its winning legacy alive. The city of Los Angeles expects nothing less.