Dodgers Executives Zaidi and Friedman Take Advisory Roles With Lakers
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Farhan Zaidi and Andrew Friedman, prominent members of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ front office, have begun advising the Los Angeles Lakers during the franchise’s ownership handover to new majority owner Mark Walter, multiple sources told ESPN.
Zaidi, a special adviser with the Dodgers known for his analytics expertise, is serving as Walter’s point person throughout the transition, the sources said. Friedman, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, is providing guidance primarily to Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka.
Both executives are operating as senior officials of TWG Sports, the umbrella organization Walter established to manage his sports properties. The Lakers and Dodgers are expected to be placed under that entity following last month’s closing of the Lakers’ $10 billion sale.
Zaidi is also consulting with the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, another Walter- and TWG-owned team, according to sources.
The reshaping of the Lakers’ front office continued Thursday when several scouting staffers, including Joey and Jesse Buss, were dismissed, the brothers confirmed to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The NBA formally approved Walter as the Lakers’ majority owner on Oct. 29. Under the agreement, former controlling owner Jeanie Buss will remain the team’s governor for at least five years.
Source: ESPN
