Biggest deals for global sports teams

The global sports business just hit a new high.

On Friday, the Buss family agreed in principle to sell the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most storied franchises in basketball history, to financier Mark Walter in a groundbreaking deal that values the team at a staggering $10 billion  the highest-ever valuation for a sports franchise.

Walter, the CEO of Guggenheim Partners  a global financial firm managing over $325 billion in assets 

 already holds the controlling stake in Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers, which he purchased in 2012. This acquisition adds another major Los Angeles team to his growing sports empire.

The Lakers deal sets a new benchmark for team valuations and leads the list of the biggest sports franchise purchases of all time:

Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)

➤ Sold to Mark Walter

💰 $10 billion — June 2025

Boston Celtics (NBA)

➤ Sold to investor Bill Chisholm

💰 $6.1 billion — March 2025

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Washington Commanders (NFL)

➤ Sold to Josh Harris-led group

💰 $6.05 billion — July 2023

Chelsea FC (Premier League, UK)

➤ Sold to Todd Boehly & Clearlake Capital

💰 $5.3 billion — May 2022

Denver Broncos (NFL)

➤ Sold to Walmart heir Rob Walton

💰 $4.65 billion — August 2022

Phoenix Suns & Phoenix Mercury (NBA/WNBA)

➤ Sold to billionaire Matt Ishbia

💰 $4 billion — December 2022

Milwaukee Bucks (NBA)

➤ Sold to Jimmy & Dee Haslam (Cleveland Browns owners)

💰 $3.5 billion — April 2023

Brooklyn Nets (NBA)

➤ Sold to Chinese billionaire Joe Tsai

💰 $3.3 billion — September 2019

New York Mets (MLB)

➤ Sold to investor Steve Cohen

💰 $2.4 billion — November 2020

Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA)

➤ Sold to group led by Mark Lore & Alex Rodriguez

💰 $1.5 billion — April 2025