Jeanie Buss will continue to lead the Los Angeles Lakers for the foreseeable future, even after the franchise’s historic sale to billionaire investor Mark Walter.

According to a report by ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Buss’s continued role as Lakers governor is guaranteed as part of the agreement. Sources familiar with the deal stated that she is expected to stay in charge “for at least a number of years.”

This condition sets the Lakers’ sale apart from the recent Mavericks transaction, where Mark Cuban stepped away from basketball operations. Shelburne noted that the continued involvement of Buss has been a part of the structure since Walter acquired a 26 percent minority stake in the team from Phil Anschutz in 2021.

Walter, who also leads ownership groups for the Los Angeles Dodgers and other major sports franchises, had the right of first refusal if the Buss family ever chose to sell. That clause positioned him as the frontrunner once the opportunity emerged.

The sale is valued at approximately $10 billion, making it the most expensive transaction for a professional sports franchise in history. The late Jerry Buss originally purchased the Lakers in 1979 for $67.5 million.

Sources indicated that Buss and Walter have built a strong relationship over more than a decade, which has contributed to a smoother transition of ownership without disrupting leadership continuity.

Despite the franchise changing majority hands, the decision to retain Buss at the helm ensures that the Lakers will maintain a level of operational consistency. Buss took over as controlling owner following her father’s death in 2013 and oversaw the team’s 2020 championship run.

The Lakers finished the 2024–25 season with a 50–32 record, claiming the Pacific Division title for the first time since 2020. However, the team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Minnesota, marking consecutive early postseason exits.

The $10 billion valuation reflects the global strength of the Lakers’ brand despite the team not owning its arena. Shelburne noted that multiple sources around the league believe the team could have fetched that figure on the open market regardless of who bid.