Los Angeles Lakers v Minnesota Timberwolves - NBA

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Bussin’

The Lakers could be sold at a record $10 billion valuation

The sale would be the biggest in sports history by a long stretch.

6/20/25 5:27AM

In February, the Los Angeles Lakers shocked the world, acquiring star Luka Doncic in a blockbuster three-team deal — a moment so shocking that many basketball fans can still remember where they were when they heard the news.

This week, the team itself is the subject of a major swap. On Wednesday, ESPN reported that the Buss family, who have owned the Los Angeles Lakers for over 45 years, would be selling the NBA titans to Guggenheim chief and serial sports investor Mark Walter in a deal that would value the franchise at $10 billion.

Balling out

Though the bumper price tag reflects the Lakers’ historic pedigree — since the Buss dynasty took over, the Lakers have won more championships (11) than any other team — and world fame, it’s just the latest in a growing line of megadeals in the NBA. In the last two years alone, five other basketball teams in the US have switched hands for over $3 billion apiece, and it’s not just basketball; the nation’s biggest franchises in other sports also dominate the most expensive sports deals of all time.

Sports franchise sales chart — Sherwood News

With the surprise Lakers sale and the Boston Celtics fetching a record-breaking-at-the-time $6.1 billion earlier this year, American basketball teams now account for 6 of the 10 most expensive sports franchise deals ever. Per figures from the BBC, UK soccer side Chelsea FC is the only franchise from outside the US to break the top 10.

You can be sure that the owners of other major NBA franchises are putting the feelers out this weekend to see if anyone else wants to pay an 11-figure sum for their team. Of course, not every team has Lebron and Luka.

Max Knoblauch12h

Some automakers are working accounting magic to extend the EV tax credit beyond today’s deadline

The $7,500 EV tax credit is set to expire after today, September 30. Logically, electric vehicle sales are expected to fall off afterward.

But some automakers, including Ford, GM, and luxury EV maker Lucid, have found ways to effectively extend the credit for some customers.

According to reporting by Reuters, Ford and GM have initiated plans to dealers that would have the automakers themselves put down payments on EVs currently in inventory at dealerships. Those down payments would qualify for the expiring tax credit, and dealers would be able to extend the subsidy to future customers through discounted lease rates.

Reuters reports that the programs were launched following discussions between the automakers and the IRS.

In August, Lucid announced that the company would honor the $7,500 tax credit through the end of the year for lessees who order its Gravity SUV by Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Exclusive: Ford, GM launch programs to extend use of $7,500 EV lease credit

Reuters reports that the programs were launched following discussions between the automakers and the IRS.

In August, Lucid announced that the company would honor the $7,500 tax credit through the end of the year for lessees who order its Gravity SUV by Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Max Knoblauch17h

Boeing is reportedly planning its 737 successor

Boeing has spent much of the year improving its deliveries and climbing out of the hole it dug last year as safety issues and a major strike rocked its business.

Now, the plane maker is weighing what comes next. Boeing is in the early stages of planning a successor to its 737 family of planes, according to reporting by The Wall Street Journal.

Earlier this year, CEO Kelly Ortberg promoted an executive to a role overseeing the 737 replacement and discussed a new engine for the plane with Rolls Royce, per the report.

Plans are early, and the process of developing a new plane can take more than 10 years. Boeing is about six years behind schedule in replacing its 777.

Exclusive | Boeing Has Started Working on a 737 MAX Replacement

Earlier this year, CEO Kelly Ortberg promoted an executive to a role overseeing the 737 replacement and discussed a new engine for the plane with Rolls Royce, per the report.

Plans are early, and the process of developing a new plane can take more than 10 years. Boeing is about six years behind schedule in replacing its 777.

Nia Warfield

9/29/25

Shopify and Etsy pop as OpenAI brings instant checkout to ChatGPT

Shares of the e-commerce companies jumped after OpenAI said ChatGPT users can now turn searches into instant purchases.

Shopify sign on their branch office building in Toronto.

Tom Jones

GRANDE EXIT

9/29/25

Starbucks is shutting around 1% of its stores in North America

The chain is also axing 900 non-retail jobs.

A Starbucks Coffee shop closed during the Covid-19 crisis.

Max Knoblauch9/26/25

“Madden” maker EA surges on report it’s nearing $50 billion deal to go private

Shares of video game giant Electronic Arts are surging up more than 15% Friday following a Wall Street Journal report that the company is nearing a roughly $50 billion deal to go private.

According to the WSJ, an investment group including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and PE firm Silver Lake (which is also part of the TikTok deal) could announce a deal next week.

In its fiscal first quarter that ended in June, EA delivered a disappointing net bookings outlook for the fiscal year.

Shares of EA’s most intimidating competitor, “Grand Theft Auto” publisher Take-Two Interactive, climbed nearly 5% on the report.

Exclusive | Videogame Giant Electronic Arts Nears Roughly $50 Billion Deal to Go Private