Last Updated on June 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the NBA’s most iconic franchises, tracing their roots to Minneapolis before relocating to Los Angeles in 1960. While the team has enjoyed decades of success, its ownership history has been shaped by a relatively small number of influential owners. (Wikipedia)
Ben Berger and Morris Chalfen (1947–1957)
Businessmen Ben Berger and Morris Chalfen purchased the Minneapolis Lakers in 1947. Under their ownership, the franchise became the NBA’s first dynasty, winning five championships behind Hall of Fame center George Mikan and establishing professional basketball as a major sport. (Wikipedia)
Bob Short (1957–1965)
Bob Short acquired control of the Lakers in 1957. Facing financial difficulties in Minneapolis, he relocated the franchise to Los Angeles in 1960, opening a new chapter in team history and introducing NBA basketball to one of the nation’s largest markets. (Wikipedia)
Jack Kent Cooke (1965–1979)
Canadian entrepreneur Jack Kent Cooke purchased the Lakers in 1965. During his ownership, the team reached multiple NBA Finals and captured the 1972 NBA Championship. Cooke also oversaw the construction of The Forum, which became the Lakers’ home for more than three decades. (Wikipedia)
Jerry Buss (1979–2013)
Real estate developer Jerry Buss purchased the Lakers from Jack Kent Cooke in 1979 as part of a $67.5 million deal that also included the Los Angeles Kings and The Forum. His ownership ushered in the famed “Showtime” era and one of the most successful runs in sports history. Under Buss, the Lakers won 10 NBA championships and became a global brand. (Wikipedia)
Jeanie Buss and the Buss Family (2013–2025)
Following Jerry Buss’s death in 2013, control of the franchise passed to the Buss family, with Jeanie Buss serving as controlling owner and governor. During this period, the Lakers won the 2020 NBA Championship and remained one of the league’s most valuable franchises. (Wikipedia)
Mark Walter (2025–Present)
In 2025, businessman Mark Walter acquired a majority stake in the Lakers, ending more than four decades of Buss family control. The sale was reported at a valuation of approximately $10 billion, one of the largest transactions in professional sports history. Jeanie Buss remained involved with the organization during the transition. (ESPN Australia)
Los Angeles Lakers Ownership Timeline
| Owner | Years |
|---|---|
| Ben Berger & Morris Chalfen | 1947–1957 |
| Bob Short | 1957–1965 |
| Jack Kent Cooke | 1965–1979 |
| Jerry Buss | 1979–2013 |
| Jeanie Buss & the Buss Family | 2013–2025 |
| Mark Walter | 2025–Present |
From the championship teams of Minneapolis to the modern era in Los Angeles, the Lakers’ ownership history has been defined by a handful of influential figures whose decisions helped shape one of the most successful franchises in professional sports. (Wikipedia)