Dodgers Owner Mark Walter Reportedly Seeking to Sell WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks
The potential sale follows Walter's recent $12.5 billion sale of the Lakers.
Dodgers owner Mark Walter is reportedly looking to sell the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, continuing a trend of divesting sports franchises. This potential sale comes after Walter sold the Los Angeles Lakers for a record $12.5 billion to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger earlier this year.
The discussions regarding the Sparks have been kept private, and the identities of potential buyers have not been disclosed. Sportico values the Sparks at approximately $400 million. Walter is reportedly seeking to sell both the team and its associated practice facility, which is under construction and slated to open before the 2027 WNBA season, for over $700 million. The practice facility itself cost $150 million to build.
If the sale materializes, it would represent the largest transaction in WNBA history, surpassing the current record held by Tilman Fertitta's $300 million purchase of the Connecticut Sun.
This move by Walter follows other divestitures from his sports portfolio. He recently sold his stake in Chelsea FC to Clearlake Capital. His remaining sports holdings include the Dodgers, the Cadillac F1 team, and the Professional Women’s Hockey League.
Walter's business activities have drawn the attention of federal prosecutors, prompting a reshaping of his assets. Despite these sales, Los Angeles Dodgers team president Stan Kasten stated in August that the Dodgers were not for sale.