• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 11, 2025

Mark Walter Just Bought the Lakers at a $10B Valuation. Who Is He?

Mark Walter is actually a prominent figure in the world of pro sports, though he’s historically kept a low profile.

Mark Walter
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Lakers, one of the most iconic franchises in history, are being sold at a historic $10 billion valuation to Mark Walter, a man who many people had never heard of until it was announced he was buying the Lakers.

Walter is actually a very prominent figure in the world of sports ownership, but his role has mostly been behind the scenes. Before Wednesday night’s stunning announcement, Walter already owned a 26% stake in the Lakers; he’s been a stakeholder since 2021. A spokesperson for Walter tells Front Office Sports that he is indeed entering into an agreement “to acquire additional interests” in the Lakers. Sources familiar with the matter confirm the $10 billion valuation is accurate, and a source familiar with the agreement tells FOS the investment is being “driven by Walter,” as opposed to TWG.

In addition to the Lakers, through his holding company TWG Global—and its subsidiary Guggenheim Partners—he has ownership stakes in the Los Angeles Sparks, the Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and Cadillac’s Formula 1 team. He is also the primary financial backer of the PWHL. TWG Global doesn’t just invest in sports. It has holdings across industries, including financial services, insurance, and artificial intelligence as well. In total, the TWG portfolio has an enterprise value of more than $40 billion.

It remains to be seen how visible he’ll be with the Lakers, one of the most high-profile sports franchises in the U.S. The Lakers have roughly 60 million total followers across X, Instagram, and Facebook, compared to 21 million for the Celtics. The Cowboys also pale in comparison to the Lakers, with a little more than 17 million total followers across those platforms.

The Lakers’ cultural impact, especially in the U.S., is unmatched. They’ve won 16 championships and are almost always equipped with some of the biggest stars in the sports world. The star-studded lineage traces all the way back to George Mikan—who played in the 1940s and 1950s when the Lakers still played in Minneapolis (the team moved to Los Angeles for the 1959–60 season). It extends to legends like Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, LeBron James, and, most recently, Luka Dončić.

Walter has some big shoes to fill to keep the Lakers’ legacy going. First things first, he’ll need to introduce himself to the team’s current star, Dončić, who apparently is included in the group of people who don’t know much about Walter.

Walter’s low profile appears to be on purpose. The few times he has spoken publicly, he’s talked about his desire to remain behind the scenes. In 2012, he told the Chicago Tribune, “I’m a fairly quiet and private person,” and said he hasn’t “sought publicity.” That same year, the Los Angeles Times reported that Walter, then newly minted as the Dodgers owner, said he was happy to remain a person in the background: “I’m here to support and help my people as much as I can. I’m here to cheer as loud as I can.”

Born in Iowa in 1960, Walter was educated at Creighton University and Northwestern University Law School. Forbes estimates his net worth at $6.1 billion.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jeff Kaplan

Letting PE Invest in Family-Owned Teams Is a ‘Watershed’

Liquidity gives owners greater flexibility to manage salary cap.

All-Star Game Returns to Atlanta With Big Plans After 2021 Exit

The league’s jewel event is set to be a global showcase for The Battery.
Jul 10, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter of their game at Thomas & Mack Center.

Cooper Flagg Makes Mavericks, New Balance Debut in Win Over Bronny

Thursday marked Flagg’s first game donning New Balance shoes.
Stephen Curry celebrates after sinking the winning putt during the final round of the American Century Celebrity Championship golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nev., Sunday, July 16, 2023.

Golf’s Hottest Celebrity Tournament Keeps Getting More Exclusive

The American Century Championship tees off at Lake Tahoe on Friday.

Featured Today

Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
Cobh Ramblers
exclusive

Ireland’s Ramblers Latest Soccer Club to Gain U.S. Owner

The Ramblers play in the League of Ireland First Division.
Jun 19, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Botafogo owner John Textor reacts after a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup against Paris Saint-Germain at Rose Bowl Stadium.
July 9, 2025

John Textor Sues Investors After They Sue Him Over Failed $1B Soccer..

John Textor says he was duped, investors say he owes them millions.
Gareth Bale
exclusive
July 10, 2025

Gareth Bale Group Makes New Offer for Cardiff City 

Bale tells Front Office Sports his group has made another bid.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Apr 19, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss and husband Jay Mohr attend the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena.
July 9, 2025

Jeanie Buss to Oversee Lakers for Years Even After Record Sale

The sale values the team at $10 billion.
Bill Ackman
exclusive
July 4, 2025

Billionaire Bill Ackman Prepares for ‘Once in a Lifetime’ Tennis Match in..

Ackman says he’s “peaking next week” at the Hall of Fame Open.
July 4, 2025

Hot Dog Maven George Shea on Chestnut Comeback and Investor Interest

George Shea runs a real estate PR firm and Major League Eating.
Crest Surf Clubs
exclusive
July 3, 2025

New York Private Surf Club Wants to Raise $45M, Charge $100K

The average membership fee for Crest is $20,000 a year.