New majority owner Mark Walter intends to move slowly as he assumes control of the Los Angeles Lakers, keeping Jeanie Buss in place as team governor while he serves as alternate governor, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
Walter completed a $4.9 billion transaction for the controlling share of the franchise. He told Shelburne that he views Buss as “a partner” and values her deep knowledge of the organization. The approach mirrors the path he followed after acquiring the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012, when he left manager Don Mattingly and general manager Ned Colletti in their roles for several seasons before making significant adjustments.
Shelburne reported that Walter will focus on “addition rather than subtraction,” evaluating existing staff and operations before introducing changes. During his first Dodgers years, the executive emphasized learning the business before reshaping it, a strategy that preceded the baseball club’s run of sustained success.
The Lakers are already tapping into resources available to the Dodgers under the Guggenheim ownership umbrella. General manager Rob Pelinka has been consulting with Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, Shelburne noted.
A Getty Images photo shows Buss and Walter together courtside at Crypto.com Arena during a Lakers-Golden State Warriors game on Oct. 21, 2025, reflecting their ongoing collaboration.
Source: Lakers Nation
