Who Owns Los Angeles Lakers?

• Parent Company: TWG Global
• Ownership Type: Majority owned
• Acquisition Year: 2025
• Company Type: Privately Held

• Founded: 1947
• Founders: Ben Berger, Morris Chalfen
• Acquired by TWG Global: 2025

• Founded: 2012
• Headquarters: Los Angeles, California, USA
• Company Type: Privately Held
• Revenue: not publicly disclosed

Visit TWG Global website

• Headquarters: Los Angeles, California, USA
• Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Crypto.com Arena (home venue)

The Los Angeles Lakers operate within Crypto.com Arena, which has implemented comprehensive sustainability initiatives that make it one of the most environmentally advanced sports venues in the world. These initiatives directly benefit the Lakers' home games and operations.

Renewable Energy Leadership: Crypto.com Arena features 1,727 solar panels on its rooftop, generating 364 kW of power through a photovoltaic system installed in 2008. This system is connected to an additional 166 kW system on the Microsoft Theater roof. Over the next 25 years, these combined systems will eliminate over 10,000 tons of CO2, 27 tons of sulfur dioxide, and 33 tons of nitrous oxide. The environmental benefits are equivalent to planting 170 acres of mature trees.

Bloom Energy Fuel Cells: In 2015, the arena installed a 500 kW bank of Bloom Energy fuel cells that generate electricity on-site, significantly reducing the carbon footprint. In the lifetime of these fuel cells, the facility has avoided 2,257,655 pounds of CO2, equivalent to not burning 797,922 pounds of coal and removing 213 cars from the road for one year.

LED Sports Lighting Innovation: Crypto.com Arena was the first NBA arena to feature LED lighting and the first NHL arena in the United States with this technology. The 2022 LED sports lighting system upgrade cost over six figures and has saved over 135.32 kilowatts of energy, equivalent to powering 5.1 million smartphones. The Lakers have also upgraded their own lighting system modeled after the NBA All-Star Game lighting grid.

Advanced Energy Management: The arena employs sophisticated energy management technologies including low-voltage lighting relays, fluorescent and LED lighting (instead of incandescent), electronic ballasts, variable speed drives on air handlers and chillers, time schedules and photo cell control for exterior lighting, and super-efficient 3-phase motors.

Air Quality and Health: In September 2024, Crypto.com Arena became the first arena to install AtmosAir Solutions Green Indoor Air Purification & Monitoring Technology. This patented bi-polar ionization air purification system continuously improves indoor air quality, meeting sustainability targets and adhering to infrastructure standards for environmental stewardship.

Environmental Compliance: The Lakers benefit from AEG's comprehensive environmental policy that includes water conservation, waste management programs, and transportation initiatives. The arena hosts 200+ events annually while maintaining its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

NBA Green Initiative Participation: The Lakers participate in the NBA Green program, which focuses on environmental sustainability across the league. This includes waste reduction efforts at Crypto.com Arena, energy efficiency initiatives, and fan education about environmental practices. During the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend, the league successfully diverted pounds of waste from landfills, demonstrating the effectiveness of sustainability programs that Lakers participate in.

Arena Sustainability: Crypto.com Arena, the Lakers' home venue, participates in the NBA Arena Sustainability Task Force established in April 2023. The arena implements various environmental initiatives including waste reduction, energy conservation, and sustainable procurement practices. These efforts help reduce the environmental impact of Lakers games and events while educating fans about sustainability.

Diversity and Inclusion: As part of the NBA's commitment to diversity and inclusion, the Lakers maintain programs focused on creating opportunities in basketball and sports business for underrepresented groups. This includes youth basketball clinics, internship programs, and partnerships with community organizations serving diverse populations in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Lakers have achieved extraordinary success throughout their history, establishing themselves as one of the most decorated franchises in professional sports:

NBA Championships: The Lakers have won 17 NBA championships, tied with the Boston Celtics for the most in NBA history. Their championship victories span multiple eras, from the Minneapolis dynasty with George Mikan in the 1940s and 1950s, through the "Showtime" era of the 1980s with Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant dynasty of the early 2000s, and the LeBron James era championship in 2020.

Conference and Division Titles: The franchise has won numerous Western Conference championships and division titles, reflecting sustained excellence across decades of competition. Under Jerry Buss's ownership from 1979 to 2013, the team won ten NBA championships and sixteen conference championships, missing the playoffs only twice.

Individual Player Honors: Lakers players have accumulated MVP awards, All-Star selections, and Hall of Fame inductions. The franchise has produced some of basketball's greatest players including Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James.

Historic Achievements: In 2024, the Lakers made NBA history by selecting Bronny James, forming the first father-son duo in NBA history. On October 23, 2024, LeBron and Bronny James became the first father-son pair to play together in an NBA game.

Franchise Valuation Recognition: In October 2024, Forbes estimated the Lakers as the third-most-valuable team in basketball at $7.1 billion, reflecting the franchise's global brand power and market position.

Arena Innovation: Crypto.com Arena has been recognized for sustainability leadership, including being the first NBA arena with LED lighting and implementing advanced environmental technologies that benefit Lakers operations.

The Los Angeles Lakers have faced several significant controversies and challenges throughout their storied history, particularly around ownership transitions and team performance:

Buss Family Ownership Dispute (2017): Following Jerry Buss's death in 2013, control over the team was initially split between Jeanie Buss (business operations) and Jim Buss (basketball operations). After several disappointing seasons, Jeanie fired Jim Buss in February 2017, triggering litigation over who controlled the Lakers. The dispute was resolved in Jeanie's favor in March 2017 when the Buss siblings gave her lifetime operational control over the team "as long as the family owns the Lakers."

Historic Ownership Transition (2025): The franchise underwent its most significant ownership change in 46 years when the Buss family agreed to sell majority control to Mark Walter at a $10 billion valuation in June 2025. This marked the end of the Buss family's control since 1979 and represented the highest control-sale value in sports history. The NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale on October 30, 2025.

Team Performance Challenges: Following the championship in 2020, the Lakers faced several seasons of inconsistent performance, leading to roster changes and strategic decisions. The 2025 trade of Anthony Davis for Luka Dončić marked a significant franchise shift, though the Mark Williams trade with Charlotte was rescinded, creating roster uncertainty.

LeBron James Era Considerations: While LeBron James brought the 2020 championship to Los Angeles, his age and contract status have created ongoing strategic questions about the team's future direction. Media analysis in 2025 suggested that James's continued presence might impact the team's ability to win additional championships.

Arena and Business Operations: As tenants in Crypto.com Arena rather than owners, the Lakers must navigate complex relationships with AEG (the arena owners) and share the venue with other teams including the Los Angeles Kings, Clippers, and Sparks, creating scheduling and operational challenges.

Financial Pressures: The franchise's massive $10 billion valuation creates significant financial expectations from ownership and fans, potentially impacting decision-making around player contracts, luxury tax payments, and long-term strategic planning.

NBA Gambling Investigation (2025): The Los Angeles Lakers were among multiple teams asked by the NBA to hand over documents and cellphones as part of the league's investigation into illegal sports betting in November 2025. This investigation followed federal charges against several NBA players and coaches, including allegations that privileged information about player injuries was shared before Lakers games in 2023 and 2024. Former Lakers assistant coach Damon Jones was among those charged in connection with the betting scheme. The NBA's ongoing investigation demonstrates the league's concern about maintaining integrity in sports betting.

Ownership Transition Controversies: The 2025 ownership change from the Buss family to Mark Walter's investment group generated some controversy among longtime fans and stakeholders. While the transaction was approved by the NBA, some questioned the process and the implications for the team's future direction. The transition represented the end of the Buss family's 46-year ownership tenure that began with Jerry Buss's 1979 purchase.

Historical Controversies: Throughout their history, the Lakers have faced various controversies including player disputes, contract negotiations, and competitive issues that have generated media attention and fan discussion. These incidents are part of the franchise's complex legacy in professional basketball.