Lakers Tap Dodgers Exec Lon Rosen as New President of Business Operations

Rosen's sports and entertainment expertise aims to elevate fan experience and drive innovation.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:08pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a sleek, modern basketball trophy made of polished chrome, resting on a clean, monochromatic seamless background, symbolizing the Lakers' legacy of excellence and the new focus on elevating the fan experience and driving business growth.A new era of business leadership aims to elevate the Lakers' fan experience and drive revenue growth.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Lakers have hired Dodgers executive Lon Rosen as their new president of business operations, replacing the departing Tim Harris. Rosen, who previously worked for the Lakers in the 1980s, brings a unique blend of sports and entertainment expertise to the role as the team looks to navigate the evolving landscape of NBA business.

Why it matters

This leadership change comes at a critical time for the Lakers, who are looking to build on their recent success and provide an unparalleled experience for their passionate fan base. Rosen's background as a former agent and sports business leader could bring a fresh perspective to the organization, but some question whether his MLB experience will translate seamlessly to the NBA.

The details

Rosen, who has served as the Dodgers' executive vice president and chief marketing officer since 2012, is stepping into the role previously held by Tim Harris. Harris was a key figure in the Lakers' $3-billion, 20-year deal with Charter Communications for Spectrum SportsNet in 2011. Rosen's success with the Dodgers, where he helped boost revenue during their three World Series championship wins, is seen as a positive, but some wonder if his MLB experience will translate to the NBA.

  • Rosen will take over as Lakers president of business operations at the end of the current NBA season.
  • Tim Harris, the previous president of business operations, announced his departure at the end of this season.

The players

Lon Rosen

A seasoned executive with a unique blend of sports and entertainment expertise, Rosen previously worked for the Lakers in the 1980s and has served as the Dodgers' executive vice president and chief marketing officer since 2012.

Jeanie Buss

The Lakers' governor and minority owner, who expressed confidence in Rosen's ability to lead the organization's business operations.

Tim Harris

The previous president of business operations for the Lakers, who announced his departure at the end of the current season.

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What they’re saying

“Lon has a deep understanding of both sports and entertainment and a true feel for where this business is headed.”

— Jeanie Buss, Lakers Governor and Minority Owner

“My job is simple, to ensure the Lakers continue to provide an unparalleled experience for our fans in Los Angeles and globally.”

— Lon Rosen

What’s next

As Rosen takes over the Lakers' business operations, the organization will be closely watched to see if his expertise can help the team stay ahead in the competitive NBA landscape and provide an exceptional experience for their loyal fan base.

The takeaway

This leadership change represents a bold move by the Lakers to bring in a seasoned executive with a unique blend of sports and entertainment expertise. While some question whether Rosen's MLB experience will translate seamlessly to the NBA, the organization is betting that his focus on fan experience and partnership alignment will help them navigate the evolving business of professional basketball.