WNBA ‘Totally in Turmoil’ – Dan Dakich

This week, the sports community was caught off guard by news that the Los Angeles Lakers are up for sale again, just shy of a year after their latest change of ownership.

It’s not merely the staggering price of $12 billion or the rapid conclusion of the deal that raises eyebrows; it’s the involvement of Bob Iger, former Disney CEO, who leads the new ownership group. The previous group was under Mark Walter, a prominent figure in sports ownership with notable successes.

Walter, serving as the CEO of Guggenheim Partners—a massive financial services firm with a whopping $350 billion in assets—is also the main owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. This team has not only clinched back-to-back World Series titles but has also become somewhat of a villain in the eyes of fans and other owners looking to boost their profits.

Interestingly, one of the wealthiest men in the nation, who’s managed to elevate the Dodgers to a formidable presence, is now shifting his focus to the Lakers. But, a little less than a year after acquiring them, he’s decided to sell.

This scenario is peculiar, especially considering the backdrop of a federal investigation into loan fraud involving the owner. Such matters can be costly, even for someone as affluent as Walter.

Speculation quickly arose that shedding the Lakers could be a necessary step for Walter to liquidate funds. There’s even chatter about the potential sale of the Dodgers as well.

Interestingly, Walter bought the Dodgers in 2012 for $2 billion, which felt excessive at the time. Fast forward to 2026, and we see the San Diego Padres sold for an incredible $3.9 billion, while the Yankees managed to raise $2.6 billion in private equity. The Dodgers appear to be the first MLB team to exceed $1 billion in revenue, with estimates suggesting their franchise value hovers around $8 billion—or perhaps more given the rarity of top-tier brand names.

Now, the looming question is whether Walter will consider selling the Dodgers to manage his financial situation.

According to the Los Angeles Times, there are no plans to sell the Dodgers. Stan Kasten, the team president, emphasized this was strictly a “Laker story,” insisting the Dodgers are unaffected by the events unfolding.

Adding another layer to the situation is a “key man” clause in Shohei Ohtani’s contract with the Dodgers. This clause grants him the option to exit his ten-year deal if key baseball operations leaders, including Walter, leave the organization.

Reportedly, Ohtani would rather not opt out if Walter sells the Dodgers, which adds an intriguing twist to what might seem like just another ownership saga. While he didn’t see postseason success with the Angels, he’s already tasted victory twice in Los Angeles, where the commitment to winning has been evident.

But how solid is that commitment likely to remain if the ownership changes hands? Guggenheim also oversees Chelsea FC and the Los Angeles Sparks, with interests in the new Cadillac F1 team. While these assets could potentially be sold to generate cash, none would likely match the revenue the Dodgers bring in.

All parties involved insist that the team is not currently for sale, yet given the swift nature of the Lakers’ deal, one can’t help but wonder how firmly that statement holds.