Buss Family Hands Over Lakers Reign to Mark Walter—End of an Era?

Okay, let’s talk about this bombshell that just dropped. The Buss family—yeah, those Busses—are selling their majority stake in the Lakers to Mark Walter. ESPN broke the news, and honestly? It feels like someone just rearranged the furniture in NBA history. The Buss name has been stitched into the Lakers’ purple and gold since forever. Now? Big changes ahead. But here’s the thing—what does this actually mean for the team, the fans, and the league? Let’s get into it.

The Buss Legacy: More Than Just Rings

How It All Started

Back in ’79, Dr. Jerry Buss bought the Lakers for $67.5 mil—which sounded insane at the time. But the man knew what he was doing. Magic, Kobe, Shaq—legends who didn’t just play for the Lakers; they were the Lakers. Ten championships later, Jerry’s daughter Jeanie took over after he passed in 2013. And guess what? She pulled off a 2020 title in the middle of a pandemic. Not bad, right?

But Here’s the Catch

Since Kobe retired, though, it hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing. Front-office drama, missed playoffs, some questionable roster moves—you name it. And let’s be real: running an NBA team today isn’t what it used to be. Player salaries? Crazy. Luxury taxes? Even crazier. Maybe selling was the only way to keep up with teams like the Warriors. Or maybe the family just wanted out while they were still ahead.

Meet Mark Walter: The New (Money) Guy

Who Is This Dude?

Walter’s the CEO of Guggenheim Partners—basically, he’s loaded. He also owns the Dodgers, and under him, they’ve been killing it. World Series in 2020, consistent playoff runs—the guy knows how to run a team. So, on paper? Makes sense. But owning the Lakers isn’t like owning the Dodgers. The expectations? Different beast entirely.

What We Know About the Deal

Exact numbers aren’t out yet, but the Busses will keep a small piece of the pie. Jeanie’s sticking around in some advisory role, which is smart—you don’t just walk away from that legacy cold turkey. But why sell now? Estate taxes? Family stuff? Or just tired of getting outspent by Steve Ballmer’s Clippers? Your guess is as good as mine.

What Changes—And What Doesn’t

Short-Term Stuff

Don’t expect Walter to come in guns blazing. If the Dodgers are any indication, he’ll play it cool. Maybe tweak the front office, throw more cash at scouting, or finally fix whatever’s going on with their G-League team. But here’s the big one: the Busses were kinda… thrifty. Walter? Not so much. That could mean bigger free-agent moves, fewer “we like our guys” excuses.

Long Game

Walter’s Dodgers are all about analytics, player health, and fan experience. If he brings that same energy to the Lakers? Could be a game-changer. But—and this is a big but—the Lakers aren’t the Dodgers. This is a win-now franchise. Fans won’t wait five years for a rebuild. So does Walter go all-in on another superstar, or try to build something sustainable? Tough call.

How Everyone’s Reacting

Twitter Meltdown

Oh man, social media lost it. Some fans are heartbroken—“No Buss family feels wrong,” one tweet said. Others? Pumped. “Finally, an owner who can go toe-to-toe with Ballmer,” posted some dude on Reddit. Even the analysts are split. Woj called it “inevitable,” which… yeah. The NBA’s a rich man’s sport now.

What the Experts Say

“Massive shift, but not shocking,” ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne said. And she’s right. The Busses did their thing, but modern basketball? It’s a whole different ball game. Literally.

What’s Next for the Lakers?

Roster Shakeup?

LeBron’s got a player option. AD’s health is always a question mark. Does Walter make a splash this offseason—maybe go after Trae Young? Or does he play the long game, build through the draft? Honestly, I’m leaning toward the first one. This is L.A. Patience isn’t exactly their thing.

Behind the Scenes

Crypto.com Arena could use some upgrades—maybe Walter’s the guy to do it. And don’t be surprised if the Lakers start popping up in more global markets. The man knows how to make money.

Jeanie’s Last Chapter

Let’s give Jeanie her flowers. She fought off family drama, hired Rob Pelinka, and brought home a title. Not many could’ve pulled that off. Even if she’s stepping back, her mark on the franchise isn’t going anywhere.

Final Thoughts

This is bittersweet, no doubt. The Buss era gave us some of the best basketball ever. But the NBA’s moved on—it’s all about billionaire owners now. Walter’s got the cash and the track record. Will it be enough to bring the Lakers back to the top? Only time will tell. Drop your thoughts below—you know I’ll be reading.

Source: ESPN – News