Mark Walter, the owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, has stated that his decision to sell the Lakers was not pre-planned and was initiated by a single phone call in mid-August.

In an exclusive interview, Walter described the sale of the NBA franchise, which he had acquired at a $10 billion valuation from the Buss family in June 2025, as a transaction that came about unexpectedly. He indicated that he had not been actively seeking to sell the Lakers, even amid a federal investigation into companies under his control. The unexpected offer came from venture capitalist Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger, leading to a $12.5 billion purchase within 72 hours.

"We just received an offer on the Lakers that was quite a good offer that we decided we’d pursue selling it," Walter stated.

This account contrasts with public speculation that the sale was a move to quickly raise capital amidst the ongoing federal probe. The narrative was further amplified by Walter's subsequent sale of his stake in Chelsea Football Club in September and reports of exploring a sale of the WNBA's Sparks.

Walter, however, insisted that he had no original plans to sell any of his teams. He specifically addressed the Dodgers, stating definitively that he would keep the club "no matter what" and has no plans of selling it for at least the next decade. He attributed the Dodgers' unique status to the significant commitments his ownership group has made since acquiring the team 15 years ago, including three World Series championships, and the deep connections he has developed with the organization and its fanbase.

Walter declined to comment on the specifics of the federal investigation, which has included the seizure of his personal devices, citing that it was "not appropriate" to do so while the investigation is ongoing. He also did not disclose further details about the Lakers sale, pending the NBA's final approval.

Reports from ESPN indicated that Kushner and Iger's initial overture to purchase the Lakers was rebuffed by Walter, who initially conveyed that the team was not for sale. However, the pair were persistent, and a well-connected financial industry source alerted them that Walter might be open to restructuring business assets. This led to what Walter described as a "Godfather offer" that he found too compelling to refuse.

Walter clarified that his attachment to the Lakers was relatively new, having been majority owner for only a year, a sentiment reportedly shared by his wife and daughter. In contrast, his commitment to the Dodgers is long-standing, making them his current sole focus among his extensive sports portfolio, which also includes professional women's hockey and racing teams.