Luka Doncic breaks silence on reported $10 billion Lakers sale
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) walks across the court during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
LOS ANGELES – Basketball fans in the Southland were still buzzing Thursday following a bombshell report that the Buss family has agreed to sell its majority ownership of the Lakers to Dodger controlling owner Mark Walter and TWG Global for a record valuation of about $10 billion.
Lakers star Luka Doncic shared his first public reaction to the reported ownership change, posting a message on X expressing optimism about the team’s future.
“The Lakers are an amazing organization. I’m looking forward to meeting Mark and excited about the future. I am also grateful to Jeanie and the Buss family for welcoming me to LA, and I’m happy that Jeanie will continue to be involved. I look forward to working with both of them to win championships!” wrote Doncic.
The Lakers are an amazing organization. I’m looking forward to meeting Mark and excited about the future. I am also grateful to Jeanie and the Buss family for welcoming me to LA, and I’m happy that Jeanie will continue to be involved. I look forward to working with both of them…
— Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) June 19, 2025
ESPN first broke the story Wednesday, citing unnamed sources, and reported that Jeanie Buss will stay on as the team’s governor — though few other details were released beyond the eye-popping price tag.
The valuation of approximately $10 billion would make the deal the highest-priced sale of a professional sports franchise in the world.
The Lakers did not respond to a request for comment, and fans and analysts alike were still waiting for official confirmation from the team.
Walter holds stakes in several professional sports organizations, including the Dodgers, Los Angeles Sparks, the Billie Jean King Cup, Cadillac Formula One team and the Professional Women’s Hockey League.
Last season, the team made headlines with a blockbuster trade to acquire Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed the reported sale during a news conference Wednesday, praising Walter’s commitment to Los Angeles and its sports teams.
“He’s really committed to the city of Los Angeles in various ways, and sports is something that he’s very passionate about, and certainly Los Angeles sports,” Roberts said. “Speaking (as) a Dodger employee, he’s very competitive and he’s going to do everything he can to produce a championship-caliber team every single year and make sure the city feels proud about the Lakers and the legacy that they’ve already built with the Buss family.”
Lakers legend Magic Johnson — also a part owner of the Dodgers — reacted Wednesday on X to the reported sale, calling it great news for the franchise and fans.
“Laker fans should be ecstatic,” Johnson posted. “Mark (Walter) is driven by winning, excellence, and doing everything the right way. AND he will put in the resources needed to win! I can understand why Jeanie sold the team to Mark Walter because they are just alike — they are competitive people, have big hearts, love to give back, and both prefer to be behind the scenes. This makes all the sense in the world. I am so, so, SO happy and excited for @Lakers fans all over the world!”
Jerry Buss purchased the Lakers in 1979 for $67.5 million in a deal that also included the NHL’s Kings and The Forum. Buss sold his controlling interest in the Kings in 1988 and what is now Kia Forum in 1999.
Following his death in 2013, Lakers ownership passed to his children, with Jeanie Buss serving as team governor ever since.
The Lakers have thrived under the Buss family’s leadership, becoming one of the most storied franchises in sports.
They’ve captured 11 NBA championships during that span, including a three-peat from 2000 to 2002 under coach Phil Jackson and star guard Kobe Bryant, and most recently won a title in 2020.
The Boston Celtics were the most recent NBA team to be sold, reaching a deal earlier this year with a group led by Bill Chisholm. That sale price was $6.05 billion, setting a record for an NBA franchise. (With CNS report)
