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

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.

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.