Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter has stated his intention to retain the baseball franchise "no matter what," despite a federal investigation into his businesses and the recent sale of his stakes in the Los Angeles Lakers and Chelsea Football Club.
Walter, who purchased the Dodgers in 2012 through his Guggenheim Baseball Management business, addressed speculation about the future of his ownership of the baseball team in an interview with the California Post. "We’re going to keep the team no matter what," Walter said. "We’re going to be winning for 10 years or more. I think our commitment to do so will be just like it has been in the past."
The Dodgers organization has faced questions amid broader inquiries into Walter's businesses. Reports emerged earlier this year that investment firm Guggenheim Partners was attempting to raise funds for its insurance operations, coinciding with federal investigations into TWG Global, Walter's company.
TWG Global has previously denied allegations of wrongdoing and refuted speculation that the Dodgers' payroll, which was the second-highest in Major League Baseball at $322.39 million, was supported by loan fraud. The company stated in August that "TWG stands firmly behind the integrity of its business and remains focused on continuing to deliver value to its stakeholders."
Walter's decision to sell his majority stake in the Lakers, acquired just a year prior at a $10 billion valuation, and his stake in Chelsea, where he was a partner with Todd Boehly, had fueled concerns. The Lakers were subsequently sold at a $12.5 billion valuation to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger.
Despite these transactions and the ongoing federal investigations by the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission, Walter expressed confidence in his continued ownership of the Dodgers. He added, "I certainly hope we can look forward to winning another World Series next year under my ownership. And I think we’re just trying to win consistently, and do so for not just next season, but for the next decade and decades beyond that."