Mark Walter agreed to sell the Los Angeles Lakers to Joshua Kushner and Bob Iger for $12.5 billion, a record price for an NBA team [1]. The deal, pending approval, would raise the average value of NBA teams by 21% to $6.68 billion. Despite this surge, the Golden State Warriors would remain the most valuable team at about $13 billion [1]. The New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls would see their valuations climb by 26% compared to February estimates due to the Lakers' sale [1].

Walter purchased a control stake in the Lakers in October 2025 at a $10 billion valuation [1]. The $12.5 billion sale marks a significant increase in less than a year.

Walter is currently under federal investigation for loan fraud and other financial irregularities related to insurance company investments [2, 3]. There are allegations involving at least $16 billion in loans linked to his investment activities [3]. However, sports ownership sources say these investigations stem from misunderstandings about Walter's various business dealings and are unrelated to the teams.

Regarding the Los Angeles Dodgers, which Walter purchased in 2012 for $2.15 billion, the ownership group emphatically denied reports that the team is for sale. Dodgers president Stan Kasten stated, "The Dodgers are not being sold. They're not for sale. There's no process that has been started to sell it, period" [2]. He added, "We are planning only to win. That is what we are always doing. And we are still continuing to do that" [3].

Under Guggenheim ownership, the Dodgers have won three World Series championships in 2020 and 2024-25, plus several National League pennants [2]. The team holds the second-best MLB record at 78-51 this season and is on track to win their 13th NL West title in 14 years [2].

Federal investigations into Walter's financial dealings intensified in August 2026, coinciding with the Lakers sale announcement [2, 3]. Meanwhile, the Dodgers ownership continues to deny any intention to sell despite the scrutiny [2, 3].

The next step is awaiting league approval for the Lakers sale to Kushner and Iger, which would finalize the record $12.5 billion transaction [1].