Lakers Majority Stake Set for $10 Billion Sale: What This Record-Breaking Deal Means for the Future

Remember the day Steve Ballmer dropped a cool $2 billion to snag the L.A. Clippers? The sports world nearly flipped. Fast forward eleven years—stick around because the numbers just took a wild leap. Minority owner Mark Walter has seized the majority share of the L.A. Lakers, a jaw-dropping deal pegged at $10 billion—a new high-water mark for American sports franchises. It’s almost surreal when you think back: Dr. Jerry Buss scooped up the Lakers for a mere $67.5 million in 1979. The Buss family held onto 66% of the team, and Jeannie Buss is set to remain the team’s governor, keeping her voice loud in NBA circles. When you stack this against the Boston Celtics’ $6.1 billion sale earlier this year, or the recent minority stake of the 49ers hitting $8.6 billion, you realize this is only the start. NFL franchise valuations are on the rise, too—teams like the Cowboys might flirt with $15 billion soon enough. The Lakers’ recent valuation? It just turned up the heat on the entire sports market. LEARN MORE

Minority owner Mark Walter has purchased a majority stake in the L.A. Lakers at a valuation of billion. That’s a record for any American sports franchise.The Buss family had owned 66 percent of the team. Jeannie Buss reportedly plans to continue to continue to serve as the team’s governor, which will give her the power to vote on league matters at NBA ownership meetings.Earlier this year, the Boston Celtics sold at a valuation of .1 billion. Last month, a minority stake in the 49ers was sold at a valuation of .6 billion.The late Dr. Jerry Buss bought the team in 1979 for .5 million.The fact that the Lakers were sold at a billion valuation will only make that more likely.

It’s safe to say that controlling interest in any NFL team would generate a valuation of more than billion. Some teams (like the Cowboys) would approach or exceed billion.Remember when Steve Ballmer bought the L.A. Clippers for billion and everyone lost their minds?Eleven years later, stay in town multiply it by five.