Dodgers Marketing Chief Lon Rosen to Lead Lakers’ Business Operations
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EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday appointed longtime Los Angeles Dodgers executive Lon Rosen as president of business operations, continuing a front-office overhaul that began after the franchise changed hands last year.
Rosen succeeds Tim Harris, who is preparing to depart after 35 years with the organization. The move places Rosen in charge of the club’s commercial strategy and day-to-day business functions.
Since 2012 Rosen has served as executive vice president and chief marketing officer of the Dodgers, the season Mark Walter acquired the Major League Baseball team. Under Walter’s ownership the Dodgers have grown into a financial and on-field powerhouse, capturing three of the past six World Series championships.
Walter finalized his purchase of majority control of the Lakers in October in a deal that valued the NBA franchise at roughly $10 billion. Jeanie Buss, who sold the stake, remains the team’s governor.
“Finding someone who could fill Tim’s shoes overseeing the business side of our organization would never be easy,” Buss said in a statement. “The answer, we soon realized, was someone both Mark and I knew well — and who already understood the values, culture and commitment to excellence of both the Dodgers and the Lakers.”
General manager Rob Pelinka stated earlier this month that the Lakers plan to model elements of the Dodgers’ expansive front-office structure, adding personnel and resources on the business and basketball sides.
Rosen’s ties to the Lakers date to the 1980s, when he started as an intern during the “Showtime” era and later held a front-office role. He subsequently became an agent and business partner for Magic Johnson before moving to the Dodgers.
In the wake of Walter’s takeover, Jeanie Buss’ brothers, Joey and Jesse Buss, left their front-office positions. No additional replacements have been announced.
Source: ESPN.com
