The Los Angeles Lakers are arguably the most storied franchise in the NBA. The Lakers and their arch-rival, the Boston Celtics, have a combined 35 NBA championship banners between them.
A lot of the Lakers’ success has come while being owned by the Buss family, with Jerry Buss buying the team in 1979, and his daughter Jeanie Buss taking over operations following his death.
Now, it appears the Buss family is relinquishing its ownership of the franchise, per one prominent league insider.
“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,” reported ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“Mark Walter owns the Dodgers. One of the biggest spenders in baseball. I’d imagine this is a good thing for the future of the Lakers too. Deep pockets in LA now for the Luka Doncic era,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“Lakers and Celtics being sold in the same year…what is happening???” one fan wanted to know.
“Imagine leaving your kids your most prized possession just for them to go and sell it a few years after you die,” one fan wrote.
It’ll be interesting to see how the change in ownership affects the Lakers’ on-court product.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.