Only 14 months after Mark Walter’s reported $10 billion purchase of the Lakers was supposed to kick off a golden era, he’s stunningly out as owner. And honestly, it’s wild, but fans are somehow still finding reasons to absolutely rejoice. It’s like a plot twist nobody saw coming, and yet, here we are, still riding a wave of unexpected energy.
The Dream of Unlimited Cash and Dodger Magic
Dude, back in June 2025, when the news broke that Walter was taking control, the vibe was electric. We were all totally hyped for the guy who owns the Dodgers, right? I mean, that organization became the absolute model franchise in all of Major League Baseball, seriously, they were crushing it, even in the middle of winning their second straight World Series. We all figured he’d bring that exact same killer instinct, that deep-seated thirst to win, straight to our Lakers. Our squad could *sorely* use an injection of that spirit and leadership. Forget the old school, “mom and pop business” vibe the Buss Family used to run. Yeah, they spent on players and some coaches, but they were notoriously frugal when it came to everything *else*, you know? Front office staffing, scouting, analytics, even health and wellness stuff that isn’t covered by the CBA. Walter’s deep pockets were gonna change all that. We were ready for a full-on revolution from the top down.
Goodbye to the Old Ways, Hello to… What?!
We were so ready to ditch Jeanie Buss’s “insular, inner-circle-reliant approach” to leadership. We wanted a fresh, expansive, forward-thinking mindset for the whole organizational structure. Broadening the search for talent, not just on the court, but in every single corner of the front office and business operations? That was an idea everyone, myself included, embraced with open arms. We envisioned all these amazing ideas merging to reposition the Lakers not just as the biggest brand in the NBA, but as the *best run* and most successful, period. We were on a fast track to reclaiming our spot at the very top of the NBA hierarchy, no doubt. And honestly, it wasn’t just us dreaming. Even the haters, the ones who pray for our failure, felt the fear. They saw the inevitability: the Lakers, under Walter, were about to totally capitalize on our historical “glamour franchise” status by investing heavily in *all* the modern mechanisms that actually promote team success. Everyone was bracing for it.
Still Psyched, But For Different Reasons
So what happened? Just fourteen months later, BAM! Walter is stunningly out as Lakers owner, seemingly before his ownership could even gain any real traction. It’s wild, right? Walter is selling his majority stake to a group led by Josh Kushner and Bog Iger. And yeah, there are some totally valid reasons to be skeptical of that new group, maybe even a little unnerved by them. But here’s the kicker: I actually find myself rejoicing some in the fact that Walter will not be around to try to see ou. It’s a crazy turn, but sometimes, a fresh start is exactly what you need, even if it’s not the one you expected.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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