For decades, the Los Angeles Lakers were owned and operated by the Buss family, who ran the show during some of the franchise’s greatest moments. But in 2025, Jeanie Buss elected to sell the team to current team owner Mark Walter, marking the end of an illustrious era in Lakers history.
While some fans are unsure what to expect, Walter’s early tenure has given many hope for the future. In fact, he recently made a promise to fans that he will deliver championships back to the city, just like the glory days of the “Showtime” era.
“We’re going to do everything in our power to make the Los Angeles Lakers a championship team again. We understand the process and what it takes to get there,” said Walter, via ESPN. “That’s the standard and the expectation. I can promise you one thing: championships will be back in Los Angeles.”
In the NBA, success often runs from the top down, and that means owners can play a direct role in their team’s performance, for better or worse. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is arguably the greatest example of this, as he nearly single-handedly changed public perception of his team. In the case of the Lakers, strong ownership is especially important for keeping up the prestige of the brand, and that’s why they fell behind during Jeanie Buss’ tenure, when they were constantly outmatched by teams with better resources.
Fortunately, with a net worth of roughly $6.1 billion, Mark Walter has more than enough resources to keep the Lakers relevant and stay ahead of the game when it comes to personnel and infrastructure. In fact, Walter has already devoted millions to expand the staff and upgrade all amenities, but he’s not holding back with building the roster, either. Knowing full well the expectations that constantly hang over his team, Walter has enabled GM Rob Pelinka to build the best roster possible. The result is what they’ve become today: a contending team in the mix for the title this season (and beyond).
After losing LeBron James this summer, Walter gave his team the full green light to spend on top-tier role players like Collin Sexton, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, Kevon Looney, and Cameron Carr. That doesn’t count the massive contract agreements with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler. If it all goes well, the Lakers will be a hard team to beat, and they should be good for a top-six spot in the West.
As for Mark Walter himself, there’s a lot going on this summer. As he’s juggling the responsibility of leading the Lakers, he’s also doing his best to fight his ongoing legal battle. Facing accusations of fraud, Walter stands to lose a lot if he’s found guilty, and his reputation may never recover. Fortunately, the investigation has not yet uncovered any concrete evidence, suggesting that the billionaire will escape any serious penalties. That’s good news for a Lakers team that needs him focused and committed on getting them back into the championship picture.
