Lakers Hire Dodgers Exec as New President of Business Operations

Ownership change and internal restructuring signal a new era for the storied franchise, with LeBron James' future still uncertain.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The Los Angeles Lakers have undergone significant changes, including the historic $10 billion sale of the franchise from the Buss Family Trust to Mark Walter, owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. As part of the internal restructuring, the Lakers have hired Lon Rosen, a former Lakers executive who most recently served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of the Dodgers, as the new President of Business Operations, replacing the departing Tim Harris. The future of superstar LeBron James also remains a central topic of discussion, as he is set to become a free agent and the Lakers may look to build around younger players like Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.

Why it matters

The sale to Mark Walter, who has a track record of investing heavily in the Dodgers, signals a shift in the Lakers' financial strategy and a willingness to spend to build a winning team. The internal restructuring, including the hiring of Lon Rosen, is seen as a direct result of the new ownership and is expected to foster greater collaboration between the Lakers and Dodgers franchises. The uncertainty surrounding LeBron James' future is also a significant storyline, as the Lakers may look to transition to a new era centered around younger stars.

The details

In October 2025, the sale of the Lakers to Mark Walter officially closed, marking the end of the Buss family's era of control. While Jeanie Buss will remain the franchise's governor for at least five years, overseeing day-to-day operations, Walter's majority stake signals a shift in leadership and financial strategy. The Buss family retains a minority stake of just over 15%, as required by NBA regulations. As part of the internal restructuring, Tim Harris, the President of Business Operations for 35 years, is departing at the end of the current season, and Lon Rosen, who previously worked for the Lakers in the 1980s and most recently served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of the Los Angeles Dodgers, is taking over as the new President of Business Operations.

  • The sale of the Lakers to Mark Walter officially closed in October 2025.
  • Tim Harris, the President of Business Operations for 35 years, is departing at the end of the current season.

The players

Mark Walter

The new majority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers and the owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Jeanie Buss

The franchise's governor, who will remain in that role for at least five years, overseeing day-to-day operations.

Lon Rosen

The new President of Business Operations for the Los Angeles Lakers, who previously worked for the team in the 1980s and most recently served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Tim Harris

The former President of Business Operations for the Los Angeles Lakers, who is departing at the end of the current season.

LeBron James

The superstar player for the Los Angeles Lakers, whose future with the team is uncertain as he is set to become a free agent.

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What they’re saying

“We must remain competitive and have access to substantial financial resources to build a winning team.”

— Jeanie Buss, Franchise Governor (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

The Lakers' salary cap situation and potential free agency moves this summer will be crucial in shaping the team's future, especially regarding the decision on whether to re-sign LeBron James.

The takeaway

The sale of the Lakers to Mark Walter and the subsequent internal restructuring, including the hiring of Lon Rosen, signal a new era for the storied franchise. The team's willingness to invest heavily and the uncertainty surrounding LeBron James' future suggest the Lakers are poised to undergo a significant transformation, potentially transitioning to a new core centered around younger stars like Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.