Los Angeles Lakers: NBA team to be sold – for ten billion dollars

A mega-deal is apparently looming in the NBA: The Los Angeles Lakers, led by basketball superstar LeBron James, could soon change hands for around ten billion US dollars (8.7 billion euros). As reported by ESPN and the New York Times, among others, the Buss family, led by Jeanie Buss—Lakers president—will sell the majority of its shares.

The buyer is said to be billionaire Mark Walter, who already owns shares in sports teams including the Los Angeles Dodgers (baseball), the Los Angeles Sparks (women's basketball), and the future Formula 1 team Cadillac. Walter also already owns a minority stake in the Lakers.

The Lakers have been owned by the Buss family since 1979. Back then, Jerry Buss bought the franchise from Jack Kent Cooke for $67.5 million and also acquired the NHL's Los Angeles Kings, among other franchises. After 46 years, the Buss era with the Lakers is apparently coming to an end.

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