The Lakers’ $10B Sale: How the Bass Family Stays Rooted in the Game They Love

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The Numbers Don’t Lie

In 1979, Jerry Buss bought the Lakers for \(67.5 million. Today? A \)10 billion price tag—46 years later, and the family still holds over 15% of the team.

That’s not just a financial win—it’s a cultural artifact. The deal with Mark Walter isn’t just about money; it redefines how we value sports franchises globally.

And yes—that’s more than three times the current NFL Dallas Cowboys valuation.

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Why Keep 15%?

Let me be blunt: most owners would’ve walked away completely after such a windfall. But not the Busses.

They’re keeping their stake not out of stubbornness—but strategy. And sentiment.

It signals continuity in leadership. It ensures that even as capital floods into sports, there remains an anchor rooted in history.

I saw this firsthand growing up in Chicago—my parents used to say, “A brand without memory is just another product.” That applies here too.

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The Price of Legacy vs. Profit

This deal sets a new benchmark—not only for NBA teams but across all global sports franchises. Think about it: if you can sell your club for $10B, what does that make every other team worth?

NFL teams are already feeling pressure. Soccer clubs like Liverpool and Real Madrid now face higher expectations from investors who see basketball as proof of scalability.

But here’s where I step back: profit doesn’t equal purpose.

When Shams reported that Jeanie Buss will remain as owner, I felt something shift—not excitement, but relief. The soul of an organization shouldn’t be auctioned off with its logo.

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Data Meets Dreaming: My Take as an Analyst & Fan

I’m trained to crunch numbers—the kind that show ROI on player contracts or ticket sales per season—but even I can’t ignore emotion when discussing institutions like L.A.’s franchise.

The transition isn’t clean tech evolution; it’s cultural inheritance wrapped in spreadsheet form. We’ve moved from ‘family-run’ to ‘family-influenced,’ which might sound subtle—but it matters deeply when you’re talking about decades-old legacies built on loyalty and belief.

Yes, capital is flowing faster than ever into sports ownership—especially among billionaires looking for prestige assets—but some things resist commodification: a city’s heartbeat, a fanbase’s trust, an athlete’s dream being played under purple and gold lights at Crypto.com Arena. These aren’t KPIs—they’re memories forged over generations. So while others may ask “What return?” —the real question might be: “What are we losing if we let go too soon?”

** P.S.: If you think only investors care about valuations… watch how fans reacted when Jeanie stayed onboard. That quiet moment said everything.