The Los Angeles Lakers will soon be under the direction of new ownership. It was revealed on Wednesday that the Buss family, which has managed the Lakers since 1979, has finalized a deal to sell the team for $10 billion. The new owner will be Mark Walter, well-known to L.A. sports fans as the owner of the Dodgers and CEO of Guggenheim Partners.

Walter’s oversight has seen the Dodgers reclaim their historical dominance as a Major League Baseball powerhouse, with no team achieving more regular-season victories in the past ten years. The Dodgers have also secured two World Series championships in 2020 and 2024, capturing the National League West title in all but one season since Walter bought the team for $2 billion during the 2012 season.

As he transitions to leading the Lakers, Walter faces a familiar responsibility: rejuvenating a marquee brand in professional sports that has slipped from its former glory. While managing an MLB team differs in numerous ways from an NBA franchise, Lakers supporters can take comfort in Walter’s proven success with the Dodgers.

What strategies enabled Walter to transform the Dodgers into a top-tier organization? Can he replicate that success in the NBA? Here are four insights from Walter’s experience with the Dodgers that could be vital for the Lakers:

1. Hire the Best People

Walter’s ownership group was bolstered by experts, including longtime Atlanta Braves executive Stan Kasten and Lakers icon Magic Johnson. A pivotal move came when they recruited Andrew Friedman as the team’s president of baseball operations two years later.

Friedman, previously known for his work with the Tampa Bay Rays, showcased a knack for maximizing value through analytics and recognizing market weaknesses. If you’re unfamiliar with baseball strategies, think of him as akin to Billy Beane from Moneyball. He also has shown a willingness to make significant, aggressive acquisitions backed by the Dodgers’ financial power.

Friedman equipped his front office with a remarkable assembly of talent akin to that in the clubhouse. His team has included numerous former and future general managers and managers.

The critical lesson here is that Walter not only made headline-grabbing hires; he continued to enhance his organization with high-caliber minds.

2. Stay on the Cutting Edge

Friedman, with a background in finance, is at ease with analytics and identifying burgeoning star players ahead of the curve. He has pioneered many progressive tactics in baseball, helping to popularize concepts like defensive shifts.

Under Walter’s and Friedman’s leadership, the Dodgers have stayed at the forefront of the league, particularly in advanced analytics while exploring innovative strategies in player development and technology. Los Angeles’s proactive approach has distinguished them from many rivals.

While not every initiative yielded success, the Dodgers have adeptly avoided the pitfalls of complacency in winning—always seeking to push boundaries. The Lakers must embrace this blueprints to ensure they lead in innovation within the NBA.

3. Leverage Financial Might

Lakers fans likely know that the Dodgers have consistently attracted some of the league’s most talented and highest-compensated players, and they have developed a reputation for acquiring stars like Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts.

The Dodgers have ranked either first or second in MLB payroll since Walter’s first full year as owner in 2013. Knowing that the NBA imposes stricter financial guidelines, Walter may not be able to spend as freely, but he can still maximize the roster’s potential by investing heavily in crucial staff and resources that benefit player development.

While the Lakers may not fully enjoy the financial freedom afforded to Walter, the asset’s value should not obstruct advancements possible through strategic ownership investments.

4. Stay Out of the Way

Even as the head of MLB’s most successful team, Walter is not known for stirring up drama. He refrains from making headlines, demonstrating an ability to remain behind the scenes while allowing his team to execute.

Walter embodies the ideal owner—he provides his organization with the resources it needs but lets his hired professionals manage operations.

This equilibrium is challenging but has been an integral part of Walter’s success, which could bode well for Lakers fans looking for a return to glory.