Ron Rosen Returns to Lakers as Director of Business Operations

Ron Rosen sees his appointment as the Lakers’ director of business operations as a significant return to his roots.

His journey began as an intern with the Lakers during his college days, leading to a role as a front office executive in the 1980s. He later transitioned to being an agent and manager, and since 2012, he’s been the executive vice president and chief marketing officer for the Dodgers.

“It’s really exciting for me to go back to where everything started,” Rosen shared with Beat reporters Tuesday night. “I welcome the challenge and am looking forward to it. I’ve got an excellent team around me, which definitely makes things enjoyable.”

He remarked, “This is new territory for me, but it feels like I’m coming home. I still maintain a connection to the Dodgers, which adds to the experience.” Rosen also expressed enthusiasm about working with the Lakers team he met recently, noting the collaborative spirit between both organizations.

In discussing his plans, Rosen confirmed that President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka would continue to lead basketball operations, supported by special advisors Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi.

“Rob is empowered to take action,” Rosen emphasized. “He’s in touch with Friedman and Zaidi, who can offer their expertise. This creates a stronger support system, which I think is valuable.” He mentioned his long-standing relationship with Pelinka, recalling their connections dating back to Pelinka’s time with Kobe Bryant.

Notably, Magic Johnson, a Lakers legend, won’t be returning in a permanent position. Although he previously served as president of basketball operations, he resigned unexpectedly in 2019.

Rosen commented on Johnson’s involvement, stating, “He will always be engaged with the team, but not in daily operations. He’s a die-hard Lakers supporter, which is always a plus.”

Addressing fans, Rosen acknowledged the recent hike in season ticket prices, which now includes a 3% “administration fee.” He expressed hope that fans would renew their tickets, adding, “This change is reflective of market conditions and ticket demand. The data on current sales speaks for itself.”

While Rosen plans to dedicate most of his efforts to the Lakers, he also intends to provide support to the Dodgers. “We aim to adopt best practices from both organizations. I’m not intimately familiar with the Lakers’ operations, but I do know they run efficiently. The Dodgers excel in many areas as well,” he stated.

He concluded with a thought on the collaboration between the two teams: “Both organizations have much to learn from each other. While many see the Dodgers as a benchmark, the Lakers have a very successful business model that we certainly don’t want to disrupt.”